GLARING LAMPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 14 (Supplement)

GLARING LAMPS.

A NIGHTLY NUISANCE. The prevalence of glaring headlights in Auckland is very obvious. The regulations are clumsy in this respect, the onus being/on the motorist to find a suitable wall and make the adjustment so that the main beam does not strike above 3ft. 6in. from the ground. Most motorists are content to retain the adjustment with which tho cars are delivered to them and it is practically impossible to stimulate enough interest to result in voluntary testing. It is equally difficult to detect breaches on the road and deal with thousands of vehicles in Auckland which are offending. Tho only method of detection —a challenge oil tho road followed by a visit to a certified testing site —is impracticable. The few prosecutionsHvliich could bo secured by this 6low process would have little effect, and for the one successfully caught a dozen would continue to drive, confident in the adjustment which has suited them for years. Dead " tail lights and missing number plates can bo picked at a "glance, but it is a different matter to take up a post on a main road and pick out headlamps which do not comply with the regulations. The innumerable " legal " lenses - and anti-dazzle doviccs now fitted complicate tho position, and one has to be motoring to sort out offenders with certainty. If tho regulation is sincere it should get at the trouble before the car is placed in service. Tho process of eliminating offending cars would bo slow, but the responsibility of checking the adjustment should be placed on tho dealer. A few distributors :io doubt attempt to turn out new cars with tho lamps in correct order, but as a rule the headlights of the newly uncased car are merely trued up by the eye of some voung mechanic whoso, aim is satisfied in getting a horizontal line. If dealers were required to issuo a certificate with new cars testifying to a night test this could be handed over with the registration papers and there would at least be the satisfaction that tho 15,000 odd cars which aro placed on the road in the Dominion every year would not contribute to the dazzle nuisance. There would, of course, be some irregularities resulting from interference or accident, and paint shops might upset the setting unless an obligation was placed on them. Alternatively, testing stations could be established and certificates issued for compulsory presentation when now number plates aro supplied. There have been many complaints lately concerning the parking of cars with full lights. They can bo counted by the dozen on a short drive through the city roads. One thoughtless motorist can cause offence to scores of passing drivers in this way. The regulations could embrace a prohibition against stationary cars using full lights without causing hardship to anybody. Even correctly adjusted lamps can cause dazzle if the road has a camber Which prevents a flat standing position. • FERRY SERVICES. ————— -jfc The Birkenhead and North cote Borough Councils have approached the Devonport Steam Ferry Company with a request for a reduction* in vehicular ferry fares and a later service. The ferry company has replied that the reduction from 3s 4d to 3s for the return to Devonport was justified on'account of the halving of tho journey by the opening of the Mechanic's Bay landing. The necessity for strict control cf •vehicles leaving* the ferries was discussed by the council of the A.A.A. this week. The president, Mr. A. Grayson, said vehicles were not always directed off the boat. This resulted in misunderstandings regarding priority and an occasional dented mudguard. Either the off-sido rule should apply. or definite control should be exercised bv tho forrv stuff. Mr. F. G. 1< arrell: I noticed a cusc in which the first man on was tho last off. It is quite possiblo to get jambod against the rails and be forced to slay there unless you prefer to try conclusions for tho right of way. It was resolved to suggest to tho ferry company that more explicit control should be exercised. BELGIUM STREET TUNNEL. Members of the council of tho A.A.A. have inspected tho plans of tho tunnel proposed for the linking of Upper Queen Street and Belgium Street, and tliey arc generally of the opinion that the scheme is good from a motoring point of view. Referring to the matter this week, Mr. A.' Grayson, president of tho A.A.A., said: "There may be better outlets'from tho city requiring development, but this scheme has been well thought out, and if it is desired to cater for greatly-increased traffic in this direction, I fail to sec where Irhe plan could bo improved." MOTOR RACING. Provided rain does not fall to-day, the meeting on the Mangerc Speedway should provide the most spectacular motor-car racing yet seen in tho Dominion. The first meeting last month was very encouraging and the track has since been greatly improved. The fixture for to-day has been organised by the Muriwai Motor Racing Club, a body quite distinct from the Auckland Automobile Racing Club which promoted tho initial event. Both bodies are out to do their best for tho new sport. Following arc the directors of the Auckland Automobilo Racing Club:—Mr. F. (4. Farrell. Mr. A. Grayson, Mr. 11. Butcher, Mr. I'. Skeates, Mr. T. Julian, Mr. G. Henning, and Mr. 11. Hood. This club is really very closely allied to the Auckland Automobile Association but the independent club has been formed to permit disassociation of financing. HIGHWAYS BOARD'S TOUR. The Main Highways Board left Wellington yesterday on a -10-day tour of inspection of road works. The itinerary covers Palmerston North, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Taumarunui and Te Kuiti. The board will not come further north than Te Kuiti, and that district will bo visited next Wednesday and Thursday. During the trip, over 60 local body and automobile association deputations will bo received. CORRESPONDENCE. Sir.—Last Tuesday I was walking down the Main Road, this sido of the Razorback deviation, toward Auckland, and wan on the inside of a corner when I noticed a green, light six-cylinder car overtaking me. The driver, whom I afterwards saw to bo a youth, braked <lo\vn for the corner and started to turn at quite a reasonable speed, when the car skidded light across the road. Only by .counteracting tho skid by skilful steering was a nasty spill saved. Fortunately, there was no car coming up the hill at the same time, or it would liuve been crushed against the bank. Seeing tho incident r.s a pedestrian, I was impressed with tho extreme danger of this lodse metal on an old solid foundation. I do not think it is realised by many motorists, both novices and experienced 4, dMvers - Pedestrian. m&r