SHOULD BE STOPPED

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12602, 12 November 1926, Page 7

SHOULD BE STOPPED

DIMMING OF HEADLIGHTS Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, November 11. The system of dimming of headlights when approaching another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, which prevails at present, was condemned by Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., in the Police Court, during tho hearing of a charge of dangerous driving brought against Frederick John Lee. Jt was staled that on the evening of September 16th a youth who was walking with one foot on the footpnth and tho other on tho road was knocked down by defendant's car. Defendant, who said he was unaware of Die accident, went on until overtaken by a motorist who gave chase. Mr Moody, for defendant, said it seemed that when ho dimmed his headlights as lie was approaching another car he Shut out any view of a person on the roadside. If a motorist did not dim liis lights when approaching another car he was liable to receive a ‘"blast’' from the driver of an approaching vehicle, yet if ho dimmed his lights he ran a, risk of running over anyone who might be on the road. Mr Orr-Walker: It would be better, I think, to receive a "bleat" in this case. [ am satisfied tho defendant’s car struck the youth, but I think that the question of dimming lights should bo settled. It is a dangerous practice, and it is quite impossible for a motorist who dime his lights to see anyone in front of him. It is time that dimming of lights should be stopped, if not by law then by practice. In this case I am not prepared to hold that (lie defendant was driving in a dangerous mujrncr. The case will bo dismissed.