DIMMING OF LIGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19485, 15 November 1926, Page 16

DIMMING OF LIGHTS.

REVIVAL OF THE CONTROVERSY. DANGEROUS POLITENESS. REMEDY IN ADJUSTMENT. FACILITIES BEING NEGLECTED. The controversy regarding the dimming of motor-car headlights has again been revived by tho declaration of an Auckland magistrate that the risks of dimming are greater than thoso of driving with the full power of the headlamps when meeting another vehicle. Tho vexed question has beeu debated by experts in Great Britain during the last few years, and the bulk of opinion endorses that held by tho magistrate. There arc never theless many drivers who consider that bright lights are the graver evil, and they religiously dim their lights, and heap abuse on those who do not respond to the signal. The dazzle nuisance became very prevalent in Auckland two years ago, and the Auckland City Council introduced a by-law requiring that the main beam from any headlight should not project above 3^ft. from the. ground at a distance of 75ft. from the vehicle. A testing station was -established behim' the Town Hall and motorists were warne to adjust their lights to conform to th regulation- The Auckland Automobil Association endeavoured to infuse a little enthusiasm into the delinquent car owners, and freo advice was offered to nil who cared to test their headlamps on the site. There was a good muster for the initial demonstrations, but, within a few weeks the testing station was forgotten, and it is now inaccessible on account of a carelessly-dumped load of debris. Tho traffic department has not prosecuted under the by-law, anti without the co-operation of motorists it would bo a difficult regulation to popularise.. New-motor-cars are being placed on the city : streets at the rate of nearly 50 a. week, but it is many months since a purchaser requested the facilities to adjust his headlamps. The consequence is that there are hundreds of motor vehicles on the roads which carry lamps which waste half their candlepower on the atmosphere. When lights of this description are carried the custom of dimming is no doubt excusable. A motorist who habitually' dims when meeting another vehicle is unconsciously admitting that his lights are out of adjustment. The Auckland Automobile Association is opposed to dimming, and has repeatedly advised motorists that if the headlamps are dipped to comply with the by-law they will not cast a glare high enough to reach the eyes of approaching drivers. With correct headlamps the motorist can proceed on his way with the safety assured by an adequate light. With many motor-cars the difference between the power of the headlamps and the. auxiliary or dim lights .is so great that when dimming is indulged in, the driver has to steer by instinct until his sight .becomes accustomed to the contrasted condition. Many drivers dim because they consider it is an established courtesy of the road, 'A number of accidents have been attributed to the temporary, blinding of vehicle drivers through. the extinction of the headlamps. Perhaps nearly as many have suited from dazzling lamps, : but experience, in America has proved that where adjustments are enforced and dimming is abolished, there are. no complaints of dazzle. Unanimity in one. .direction is necessary fpr safety. If. every motorist dimmed and drove slowly it would be preferable to the present controversial position, bnt it seems more logical to convert the advocates of dimming to the other view. - ' V :