CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS NEEDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1942, Page 4

CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS NEEDED

Monday's black-out trial revealed progress in this part of the precautionary scheme. Businesses and householders have evidently realised the need for light-protection measures and are co-operating. There arc, however, several minor matters that need to be cleared up even in this. One is car lighting. On a dark night, driving 'on Wellington hill roads, even with unshaded parking lights, must be full of danger. On Monday certain cars were allowed a dimmed headlight (with V marking). Obviously this did not help other cars on the.roads. The lighting should be the same for all vehicles, and only those vehicles really needed should be permitted to move. The number of cars in use should be reduced to the minimum and the maximum safe lighting be allowed them. Another related question is: What: are the public to do when an alarm sounds? In trial black-outs they retire to their blacked-out rooms. For daytime they have been told to stay put ii they are in buildings, or disperse if they are in the streets and near a dispersal route. But many people have been confused by reports of evacuation practices in big buildings. This does not seem to agree with the stay-put instruction. There are other points on which clear instructions are called for. As soon as possible these, uncertainties should be resolved and new printed instructions, as simple and clear as they can be made, issued to all householders and business premises.