VEHICLE LIGHTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 206, 1 September 1941, Page 8

VEHICLE LIGHTS

CHANGES LIKELY?

UNION'S REPRESENTATIONS

The practice followed by some motorists in stepping up the candlepower of the one dipped headlight since the introduction of the vehicle lighting restrictions, will be dealt with in the immediate future, according to information received by the secretary of the Auckland Drivers' Union, Mr. L. G. Matthews, from the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. G. L. Laurenson. Action was also likely to be taken by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, with respect to the suggestion by the union that the maximum candlepower of the dipped headlight should not exceed 32, and that the regulations should be amended to prohibit the use of fog lights and spot lights.

Mr. Matthew* explained that he had recently discussed the recommendations made by the union to the Minister with Mr. Laurenson, and he was sympathetic to the views expressed by Auckland bus drivers, which were based on practical experience of the restrictions. Mr. Laurenson had agreed that the use of fog lights and spot lights without being dipped was a definite menace on the road, said Mr. Matthews.

In the union's letter to the Minister it was stated that bus drivers considered that the speed of all motor vehicles, and also trams, should be reduced to a maximum of 20 miles an hour during the blackout period. In the majority of cases, it was added, the use of fog lights and spot lights created a greater glare than glaring headlights, and therefore could not reduce sky glow.

With regard to the reduction in the candle-power ot the dipped headlight, the letter stated that it was explained by members of the union that, in the absence of any provision in the regulation;; defining a maximum amount of light, numerous drivers, while observing the restrictions, had increased the candlepower of the one dipped headlight. This in many instances had been abused considerably, with the result that one glaring headlight could be observed on numerous cars in Auckland.

The Minister's attention was also drawn to the advisability of all railway locomotives running parallel with the main highways being compelled to observe the dipped process in the same way as the users of motor vehicles.