AVOIDABLE DAZZLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 7

AVOIDABLE DAZZLE

OWNERS ARE THOUGHTLESS. STATIONARY MOTOR-CARS. While it is admitted that the complete solution of the dazzle problem is a matter of great difficulty, it would not be hard to eliminate quite an appreciable proportion of the dazzle that now afflicts road users at night. To take but one example, how often do we find sttionary cars drawn up by the side of the road with their head lamps left burning?

In Great Britain the R.A.C. is making an appeal for the abolition of this inconsiderate behaviour on the part of certain car-owners, and a similar appeal could be made here with advantage.

In this connection mention can be made also of the grave danger not infrequently caused by leaving cars with side, and sometimes even head, lamps alight by the right-hand side of the road pointing towards the oncoming stream of traffic.

Where illumination is poor, tli» lamps of cars left in this position are apt to be exceedingly confusing, for approaching drivers may take them as being attached to vehicles travelling towards them, and may endeavour to pass the stationary car on the near side, with the result that a collision occurs with the kerb or path edging or an incursion is made on to the path or pavement.

A cardinal rule for all drivers should he invariably to leave the car facing in the proper direction, on whichever side of the roadway the stoppage is made.

Ordinary consideration for other road-users should prompt a driver to extinguish his headlamps the moment he draws to a standstill, and this point needs no further emphasis.

Another source of unnecessary dazzle is incorrect setting of the lamps. The great majority of the lamps fitted to modern cars are easily adjustable, the lamp body being mounted on a form of hall and cup joint with a locking nut beneath it. By slacking this nut the elevation or lateral direction of the beam can be adjusted to a nicety in compliance with Dolice regulations.