The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-13
GOOD HEADLIGHT
RULING NECESSARY
Difference Of Opinion as to
Proper Method Of Eliminat-
ing Danger.
:. A.. f.. HAS SUGGESTION

Every automobile owner who has oc-
casion to- drive his car from one city
or state to another realizes the impor-
tancc of the movement that has been
started 10 standardize the various laws
and ordinances governing the operation
If motor vehicles throughout the coun-
try. There is a wide and embarrassing
divergency In Il number OF the munich
pal ordinances regulating safety devices
or other equipment. This is particularly
true In the case of dinners designed 70
eliminate the glare from automobile
headlights.
Realizing the need for a uniform reg
ulatton covering the elimination OF the
headlight glare the Society OF Automo-
bile Engineers has for some time given
this matter consideration and recently
made "A recommendation which offers
"A natural and simple remedy. without
necessitating any sweeping changes in
the thousands OF cars now owned by
private motorists. by properly focusing
the electric bulb and bending the lamp
supports In such a way as ITO direct
the light rays correctly Il Is ssaid that
the average headlights. a. supplied on
the better grades Of cars. can be REM
dered practically non-glaring. The :.
a. f.. recommendation provides that
The headlights should he 20 arranged
D AllhA l' ~ " Va NV ~ VI
light. when measured seventy-fve feet
or more ahead OF the lamps. shall he over
torty-two inches above the level surface
on which the vehicle stands. Such head
lights shall also give sufficient side illu-
mination to indicate any persons. We
hicle or substantial object ten feet 10
the. side ~ said motor vehicle AZ a
point ten feet ahead of the lamps
An inquiry recsSntly made by the
Itnsggi.Ng lHr tho .ttfnypnhNA rn1a
magazine. of all OF the states and many
of the large cities Of the country dis
! closes tn" fact that at the present time
few cities and only half a dozen States
have any legislation prohibiting the use
Of dazzling or glarlng headlights unless
diiumsd. The states regulating the use
iof dazzling headlights are California,
District of Columbia. Massachusetts.
New Hampshire, New Jersey and Mithi-
gan.
1T needs no argument 10 establish
~" iesirahility OF limiting the use OF
glazing lights" says a writer In the
HorS,l'SS Age. but II has hecn found
,ha even among cities and States hay
ilg this legislation there j. a wide diff
icrcuc. Of opinion as to how the evil
should l.. r.redied. Some states lind
: cities are satisfied by the mere prohibit
ton of glazing or dazzling lights. leav-
ting to the infinite wisdom Of police Of
! iircrS or magistrates the question Of
what II a dazzling or elaring light. while
A. others supplement this unsatisfa Glory
general prohibition by appointing Cer-
tain of'i'itls~to authorize the use of dim
min devices. To the motortst this lat
tor io,m Of statute IL more desirable. as
th.-. is no hard and fast rule to deter
mine what effect certain rlys OF light
may have uu the optic nerve or nerves
Of a pole. mar under different condi-
tons.
The legislation 81 THIS subject IN
Sew Hampslir. and Michigan is very
SIMILAR. u because Of SIS apparent lin
itatIous Is worthy OF especial comment
In these states an a~utomobilist ~ re-
auired 10 dim his headlights only when
they are electric light and when APP
proaching other vehicles. There is the
further p~ovision in New Hampshire
that dimmiug is not necessary unless
there is "A reasonable opportunity 10 dc
So without danger to the driver, xr. II
il is the purpose Of laws requiring the
dlmniug ~ lights to prevent glarinR oi
dazzling rays from annoying and con-
fustug PERSONS using tn. streets, why
ignore t,rtyleu" lamps or refuse &c
recognize TN, dangers incurred IN blind
INK pedestrians a. we'll ~ operators al
other vehicles Mud TO add the pro-
vision tina, ~ in the New Hampshire
statute limiting it, application to cases
whore there * reasonable opportunity &c
dim the lights without danger leaves
such a louphole az TO render It's enforce
I.rut very doubtful.
some cities prohibit the use OF tn
kind OF DINNER which Il j. necessary
to use in New hampshire and Michigan
that is IN" type Operated from tn
drivers Scdt-cvidently with IN. .det
thtt such prohibition Is the only .f