ROAD DANGER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 194, 18 August 1933, Page 8

ROAD DANGER.

GLARING HEADLIGHTS.

MOTORISTS' DISCUSSION

QUESTION OF REGULATIONS

Glaring headlights were discussed by delegates to the North Island Motor Union this morning, as the result of a remit from the Manawatu Automobile Association, that, in view of the alleged weakness in the motor regulations covering glaring headlights, the Transport Department should be requested (a.) to consider the matter in the light of recent police and traffic inspectors' opinions; (b) alternatively to arrange a test ease.

Mr. N. H. Mackie (Manawatu) said that owing to the alleged weakness in the regulations, the authorities were reluctant to take action.

Mr. S. I. McKenzie (Manawatu) said that one difficulty mentioned to him by a traffic inspector was that a tnotorisp could alter his lights between the time of notification and prosecution and could then invite the Court to test his lights.

That new cars had improved headlights and that time would cure the trouble was an opinion stressed by Mr. J. H. Edmundson (Napier), a vicepresident of the union. He thought that the present regulations should be enforced, but that motorists should not be harassed by further regulations. The trouble was not as bad as it used to be.

Mr. Mackie: There are not as many deaths as there used to be.

Mr. G. W. Hutchison (Auckland) said that if the motorists of New Zealand thought they could save a single lifo they would comply with any restrictions which the Government might bring in.

Mr. F. Amoore (Tarauaki) considered that the supposed difficulty of getting a conviction in a glaring headlights case was largely a bogy. It was a matter for. the motoring associations to take up with their local authorities. He did not- think that new regulations wore necessary at the present time.

In the Wairarapa, said Mr. R. W. Roydhouse, the association's service officer adjusted lights free for nonincmbers as well as members, and a great improvement had resulted. II» wiu against pressing for a prosecution in such cases.

"This matter of glaring headlights is probably the hardiest annual we have at these conferences," said Mr. E. A. Batt (Wellington). It was not possible for any motorist to say that his lights, under all conditions, complied with the regulations. He thought that the old practice of dimming when passing another car was probably the safest method of getting over the difficulty. In Wellington the Motoring Club was co-operating with the traffic authorities, and the scheme was working well, the adjusting being done by the club's expert.

The president, Mr. W. A. O'Callaghan, said that, under certain conditions, then would always be some trouble from glaring headlights.

When put to the vote the remit was lost, and it was decided that no action should be taken.