DAZZLING HEADLIGHTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16881, 8 July 1920, Page 6

DAZZLING HEADLIGHTS.

COMPLAINT BY MOTOEMEN.

A letter was received at last night's meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association from Mr Frank Thompson, manager of the Christchurch Tramways. Mr Thompson stated that he had noticed that the Association had recommended its members that the practice of dimming their lights was a dangerous one, as it might easily lead to a motor- • ist running down a cyclist; and that the Council had expressed the opinion that the dimming of headlights in any highways -except well-Jighted ones should be discountenanced, and that no car should be used on the highways at night unless it was provided with one of the anti-dazzlers on the market. "Tramway motormen are being continually much handicapped in the carrying out of their duties safely throughdazzling headlights on motor-cars," ) continued the letter. "Motormen complain that they are temporarily blinded when cars with very bright I'ghts pass. ! them. A collision which took place re- ! cently on Riccarton road and resulted in ! great damage to rolling stcck, was caused through the tramway motorman having to screen his eyes in consequence of dazzling headlights of a motor-car that was passing at the time. It is understood that the 'newer motor-cars ! are being fitted with lights with three j ranges, viz., 'full' for_ use on country j roads, 'moderately bright,' and iow' | for use in the city. If the Association in its consideration of the matter would be good enough to consider the posi- , tion of tramway motormen and the risk of accident to tramway passengers the Board would be glad." The chairman of the Association (Mr J. S. Hawkes) stated that the secretary had replied advising that for some time past the Association had been un- ! deavouring to overcome the danger. | The matter had been taken up by tho | South Island Motor Union, which had recently written to the Government to I see what could be done. '