Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-08-15
AUTOMOBILE LIGHTS.


New Law As to Headlights and
DINNERS.
Names new headlight DINNER Law for
automobiles will 60 into effect on August
is. The new regulations are in keeping
with those adopted by other states. They
contain, however, two provisions which
are believed to be slightly in advance OF
other states-a ruling limiting the candle
power OF automobile headlights to ~, and
regulating the use of the somew bat OBJ
noxious spot light. The complete regula-
tions are - follows:
After August Is, 1917, no motor vehicle
be operated ON or along any highway or
other way bet ween the hours Of one half
hour after sunset and one half hour be-
such motor vehicle are constructed and
operated as follows, viz:
a. No bulb or lamp used in any such
headlight shall be OF greater cancle power
than twenty four (or equivalent wnttage).
GU The lens or glass in the front part
OF any such light tif the lens be OF plain
glass; shall be sand blasted or frosted on
the inside 90 that no direct or reaeeted
ray from said light shall be on level road
and seventy I've t75) feet ahead OF any
such motor vehicle, more than forty-two
(42) inches from the ground.
This frosting may be temporarily done
With white paint or bon ami in sufficient
quantity 70 prevent glare.
NOTE: Experiments have shown that
this result may Be accomplished BY
sand blasting or frosting the lens on .
level line down to q point one "a inch
below the center OF the lamp bulb. No
clear glass should be left above this line.
some Iamps are hung lower on some cars
than on others, and care, by experiment,
should be taken to see that the direct or
reelected rays are not higher than the
above named forty.two {a2) inches.
CD In case q "Fractor or similar
device Is used, sand blasting or frossing
Is unnecessary, but great care must be
used in focusing the light, a. improper
focusing viii throw the rays upward and
produce the unlawful glare.
al Persons using lenses 90 constructed
that no giaring rays are supposed to be
produced tthe Warner, Legalight and
others hsing types) are not required to
sandblast or frost such lenses; but strict
regard must be had to the 2a-candie
power limit or bulbs as higher candle
power produces the dangerous glare from
any such lens.
tai Any light may be 1dimmedv In
cities and villages where street lights
exist, and are burning not over fve hun.
dred 900 feet apart.
90 No spotlight shall be used ON any
motor vsAscIe except for the purpose Of
cAsting light TO the right or the left or
the rear ot car and then only whsse the
ear IL stationary or in slow speed or in
reverse. When any motor vehicle has
gotten under Roadway, the spotlighs shali
be turned entissay out, and under 10 cir
approaching vehicle.
MOTH: A committee represes6sx the
Maine Automobile association and the
Maine Automobile Dealers assoeiation
recommends the barring OF the ne Of
.sposiights," so-called. Az ussd By many
A<SNSc@tHA tnso hA8nA Cnor8So8- ~ S0e
dangers and snnoyances Of an unpro-
tected headlight. 1t has, ho&sver, its
legitimate uses, among which are tbs
searching out OF signboards, thu Observe
tions on the driving side OF the car made to
avoid bitches or see where the rear wheels
are going while the car il backing. 1t
may also be used TO cast li9hk under the
hood in making repairs 10, or observations
OF the engine. FesrinS thai 1t may at
present b unfair to entirely har the spot
light, we make for the present the above,
regulation, giving notice that IL these
lights are improperly assd. they will b.
entirely barred.
90 To avoid MISUNDERSTANDING, let u
be understood that ali these reguiat IONS
apply TO motorcycles.