GLARING LIGHTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1938, Page 2

GLARING LIGHTS

BADLY-ADJUSTED EQUIPMENT NEED FOR GREATER ROAD SAFETY. Drivers who use the roads at 'night during the winter know that the normal dangers of the heavy traffic of the present day are aggravated by the unsuitable, badly-adjusted lighting, equipment of many cars. In America, much attention is being paid to this problem, and an influential motor trade paper has been conducting a campaign for better lights, and a more rigid enforcement of the laws governing focussing and adjustment. It is realised there, as it is being realised here, that ' there are far too many cars on the roads with badly glaring lights, whose faults in this direction are aggravated by the carelessness of owners regarding focussing. The traffic regulations of New Zealand provide that headlamps should be adjusted to throw a beam not more than 200 feet in front of a car. In America, the problem is far more difficult, because of the conflicting requirements of the different States. That is why, in the past, American headlights have not been very good, as manufacturers had to provide lights which would more or less suit all States. Noteworthy improvements have been made in the last few years, and the average lights can be adjusted to give reasonable results. There is little uniformity, however, and in the majority of cases, greater diffusion, both on the high and dipped beams, is desirable and could be achieved.

English headlamps tend to err in the other direction, many being far too powerful and glaring, those fitted to a sports model in particular often being a menace to other road users. Those are matters, however, for the manufacturer. What the owner can do is always to see to it that his lights are focussed in accordance with the regulations, and to observe some simple rule in regard to their use. Of these, the most important relates to the courtesy which should be extended a driver travelling in the opposite direction. The headlight dippers are provided for one purpose, to be used to direct the light downwards so that it will not dazzle an oncoming driver, and it would make a great difference to the safety of the roads at night if drivers, as a whole, would make headlight dipping a rigid article of faith. The dippers are the best solution of the dazzle problem which has so far appeared. They provide a good spread of light a few yards in front of the car, with the beams well away from the other drivers’ eye level. Their use sometimes means reduced , speed, since no one should drive at a speed in excess of that at which he could stop within the distance lighted by the headlamps.

In the town, it is unnecessary to use the high beam; the dipped beam provides all the light that is wanted. Drivers have quite enough to contend with from street light without the additional worry of glaring headlamps, while the restricted speed imposed is Well within the safety margin of the dipped beams. A dangerous practice is that of flashing lights, th'e best thing to do is to reduce to induce him to dip. This flashing of light is more dangerous than the steady glare of headlights on the high beam and the practice is one to be condemned.

When forced to drive against glaring lights, the best thing to do is to reduce speed, steer well into the left, and look religiously at the left-hand kerb until the glare has passed. Always remember that there may be a pedestrian in dark clothes in the gloom ahead, and proceed with the utmost caution.