GLARING HEADLIGHTS TO BE TACKLED BY AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7242, 13 June 1930, Page 6

GLARING HEADLIGHTS TO BE TACKLED BY AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Service Officer Helping ANXIETY TO REMOVE ALL CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS Tho alarming growth in the number of motor accidents in tho Dominion and tho increase in fatalities arising from them has been the subject of considerable comment and is occasioning growing concern. In Palmerston North attention has recently been drawn to one of tho many factors which aro responsible for tho large number of distressing accidents. This is the question of the proper focussing of headlights and a matter which all motorists who have driven at night will readily admit is one calling for attention. The Borough traffic manager (Mr P. G. Patton) is emphatic that badly focussed headlights aro the rule rather than the exception. He stated that he had interviewed a number of garage proprietors in connection with the matter and had been informed that although facilities for focussing lights were provided in a number of garages, very few motorists availed themselves of them.

Mr Patton was of the opinion also that the motor regulations in connection with the focussing of lights should be amended. At present tho regulation governing this adjustment reads: — “Every headlight attached to"a motor car shall be so focussed and adjusted that when the vehicle is standing on u horizontal surface, the main beam ot light is not projected above the horizontal plane of the lamp nor projected to a height, which at a distance of 75 feet from the lamp, more than 3 feet 6 inches above such horizontal surface.” 1

Mr Patton pointed out that very few headlights were 3 feet Cinches from the ground and consequently in many cases motorists could not focuss according to the regulations. In cases of cars the headlights of which were set lower than 3 feet G inches, the difficulty ot correct focussing was obvious. In his opinion the only satisfactory method of focussing was to rule that the lights must strike the road a certain distance in front of the car. This was the method adopted in the United States and in his opinion was much more satisfactory than the New Zealand regulation.

The Manawatu Automobile Association, in its endeavour to eliminate all possible sources of accident, is also concerned about the improper focussing of headlights and at the gathering ot owners and drivers at tho Municipal hall last evening to hear an interesting address upon the petroleum industry, it was announced that tho association would shortly appoint a service officci whose duty it would be to help drivers who were doubtful about their car lights. This officer would spend a considerable amount of his timo on the load at night. Mr Mackie added that the association was sincere in its endeavour to eliminate every possible cause of accident.