MOTOR CAR LIGHTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24627, 7 June 1941, Page 8

MOTOR CAR LIGHTS

THE NEW RESTRICTIONS AREA OF OPERATION EXPLANATORY STATEME]^ (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 6. "A number of inquiries have beea made regarding the recently-gazetted Lighting Restrictions Eniergency'.Jßegulations >' as they : apply, to-- »rhotor vehicles," said the Acting Minister of National Service, Mr D. Wilson, to-day. The restrictions, he added, would apply *in the meantime only to specified centres of population on or near the sea coast. The restricted areas were as follows: '."' :": •."-'" North Island.—Whangarei, Auckland and suburbs, GiEborne, Napier, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Petone, Eastbourne, and connecting roads, Wanganui, Castlecliff and connecting roads, and New Plymouth. South Island. —Nelson, *Greymouth, Westport, Christchurch, Sumner, New Brighton,. Lyttelton and connecting roads, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Port Chalmers, Portobello, West. Harbour and connecting roads, and Bluff. .. . Areas to be Signposted These restricted areas will be indicated by signposts, and in them with the exceptions mentioned in the-next paragraph) one or more parking lights may be.used, in addition to the headlight on the near, or left-hand - side, adjusted so' that the beam descends eight inches in ten. feet. Vehicles with fog lights dipped as above can drive on the fog light, .together with one or more parking lights. .. In the above-mentioned restricted areas, however, there will be a certain limited number' of roads where further restrictions will apply wheri the prescribed signposts have been erected. These are oh the main roads i facing the open sea, and on these roads vehicles may be driven on the parking lights Only, a parking light being defined as not exceeding seven watts. To reduce accident risks,-it is provided that vehicles must not be parked on these roads, the speeds .must., not exceed 20 m.p.h.. and that bicycles must carry .a.tail light. ' , The Minister said that in order to ease the restrictions during the hours of heaviest traffic. they would apply onlv between 7 p.m. and 6.30 a.m.;; . Adjustment of Headlights "I realise that it will be impossible for all headlights to be adjusted immediately," said Mr Wilson. "Motorists likely to be affected, however, should endeavour to have the work put ;in hand at the earliest opportunity.- With the majority of cars which require adjustment this can simply be done by disconnecting the wire leading to the dipped filament of the offside headlamp and connecting the parked lights into the tail-light circuit! All motoristi "affected should make sure that when-the near side light is in. its dippeoV position it complies with the. regulations, '. Arrangements have been made through the Garage Proprietors' Association to have detailed instructions furnished "to all garages."' • ' "' ' ' . , The Minister, also made it clear that the instructions mentioned above would apply continuously, following the erection of the necessary signposts. The regulations .also.,rprovided that in a period'of actual emergency* (an -.air raid •: or bombardment) : all ? : motor vehicles, with certain specified exceptions, must travel in the affected areas only with parking lights obscured ■by means of two sheets of newsprint or the equivalent.;:' :- -J> .>; •-■"'>■■''.■'; .'.-■■