HEADLIGHT DAZZLE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 290, 7 September 1928, Page 9

HEADLIGHT DAZZLE

NO REGULATIONS IN BRITAIN SO FAR. A cautious attitude towards the headlight dazzle problem is being adopted by the British Government. Commenting on the position recently the “Autocar” said: There is often justification for criticising Government Departments for their dilatory methods, but there are times when a refusal to be bustled is distinctly commendable. In this connection it would be interesting to ascertain how many questions have been put in the House of Commons to the Minister of Transport during the past few years by members apparently desirous of discovering a sovereign remedy for head lamp dazzle. Almost invariably the propounder of the question seems to think that by a stroke of the pen the Minister can abolish what is admitted to be a serious danger. It is true that, were a good many of the questions*regarding dazzle to be tracked down to their source, they would be found to emanate from interested quarters—in other words, from individuals endeavouring to exploit some “anti-dazzle” device. There is, however, no reason to suppose that there was any ulterior motive behind a question put to the Minister of Transport by a member who asked whether Colonel Ashley’s attention tad been drawn to recommendations by-coron-ers’ juries to the effect that legislation should be passed to control the too brilliant illumination given by motor vehicle head lamps. Colonel Ashley said that the degree of dazzle does not depend merely upon the power of the head lights, but is also influenced by other factors, such as the construction and focusing of the lamps. He then stated that no head lamp had yet been brought to the notice of the Ministry which provided an adequate driving light without some degree of dazzle, and he. concluded by assuring tlio House of Commons that, while all technical developments were being closely watched by his Department, lie did not consider it desirable at present to make any regulations. This attitude is reasonable. It is to he hoped that eventually a lamp giving a powerful, non-dazzling light will be designed. Until it materialises the Government should refuse to be hustled into panic legislation.