CAR LIGHTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24636, 18 June 1941, Page 4

CAR LIGHTS

RESTRICTIONS ON USE ENFORCEMENT ON MONDAY DETAILS OF REGULATIONS Although the Emergency Regulations imposing restrictions on the use of car lights were gazetted on May 30, their enforcement was delayed because of the need to define the areas in which the restrictions will operate. They will come into force in Dunedin and the surrounding districts on Monday next. A circular letter has been issued by the Transport Department outlining the requirements of the regulations. The restricted areas around Dunedin are the city proper, including St. Kilda, Port Chalmers, the Otago Peninsula, West Harbour, and all connecting roads. Adjustments Necessary The requirements regarding the dipping lights are set out in the circular, as follows: The left-hand head-

light must be dipped so that the centre of the ray descends at a rate of not less than 3 inches in 10 feet. To obtain this adjustment, the car should be placed on a horizontal surface so that the headlamps are 10 feet away fr6m a vertical wall. If the centre of the dipped ray (of the near side—the left—lamp) measured on the wall is not 8 inches below the source of light, an adjustment of the headlamp as a whole will be necessary. Three sets of conditions are necessary, and lighting must be controlled as follows: 1. Parking.—Side, or dim lights, to be shown on each side, each to be not over 7 watts strength. 2. Normal' Headlights.—Main beams as under the 1936 regulations.. 3. Restricted Areas.—The off side lamp (right) to be extinguished; and the near side (left) lamp dipped. A parking light must be displayed (under these conditions) on the off side. The near side park light is optional. ' Practical tests on the road .have shown that the use of a dipped beam is no advantage when the driver is operating on his main beams outside restricted areas. Vehicles which do not enter the restricted areas at any time do not require to be adjusted. Fog lights will be permitted (on a separate switch), but they must be on the left side and must dip at the same rate of 8 inches in 10 feet. Fog lights can be used with parking lights, but both headlights must be switched out when fog lights are in use. Warrants Not Affected The circular states that the emergency lighting rectuirements are not to be made a condition for the issue of warrants of fitness. As long as a vehicle complies with the standard traffic regulations a warrant of fitness will be issued. The regulations do not debar the individual car owner from effecting his own alterations, but from the technical details set out in the circular it appears that most motorists would, be advised >? have the adjustments made by experts. In' many English cars all that will be necessary will be an alteration to the decree of din of the left headlight. American cars as a clsss are fitted with double filament lamps. In some the necessary adjustment will be a simple task, but in others alterations to the actual wiring will berequired. Reduced Speed Limit In areas where the restrictions are to be enforced a speed limit of 20 miles per hour will be imposed, and it is proposed to definqjsuch areas by means of notice boards. The parking of cars on regulation areas will not be prohibited, but drastic stens are to be taken with regard- to cars left parked all night on the streets. It has been suggested by the various motoring bodies throughout the Dominion that the mudguards of all cars should be painted .white, but as yet no regulation to this effect has been framed.