MOTOR-CAR HEADLIGHTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 9 April 1945, Page 3

MOTOR-CAR HEADLIGHTS

TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER'S ADVICE Wellington, Apl. 7. “There are many motor-cars on th€ road with headlights that are still adjusted to the emergency lighting requirements, despite repeated announce ments that the restrictions have been removed,” said the Commissioner of Transport, Mr G. L. Laurenson, in a statement issued yesterday. “By such neglect the drivers of many of tnese vehicles are losing the benefit of the better driving light when they are now permitted. The emergency headlight restrictions were removed last July, and only the normal requirements now apply.” Briefly, the most important requirements are that the main beam from a headlamp is not directed upward when the car is on a level surface, nor directed toward the right (or off-side). Mr Laurenson continued. The main beam should always point downward or be horizontal, and either straight ahead or slightly to the left. When dipped the beam must descend at least four inches in 10 feet. Every driver should it.member to dip when approaching another vehicle—including a bicycle—and also, if he is following closely behind another vehicle, when his lights may worry the driver ahead. He should also remember to dip or dim his lights or switch over to side lights when his car is stationary, or when the street lights enable him to see clearly for 50 yards ahead, or again, if he is approaching a traffic pointsman. A regular check of the adjustment of headlamps is desirable always for safe and comfortable driving at night. The commissioner said that the greatest care should be exercised to adapt speed to the conditions when driving at night. “If your vision is affected, whether by some defect of the eyesight, the approach of dazzling headlights, or poor illumination due to rain, mist, or even deceptive shadows across the road, it is your undoubted responsibility to slow down till you can stop in half the length of roadway which you can see ahead to be clear,” he added. “The driver who geglects this elementary precaution may be endangering the lives of others on the road. With the shortening hours of daylight, there are more people caught on the road after nightfall, and the hazard is thus increased.”