Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-10-18

OF NEW ACT ON
NIGHT DRIVING
By H. H. Parker, Sales Man.
ager For Macbeth
Lens

LCdo
While the recently enacted legisla-
ton governing the operation of motor
vehicles within the State of Pennsyl-
vania is becoming generally under
stood, apparently there still are some
points upon which all motorists are
not fully informed.
! One section In particular which is
the subject of many inquiries is that
referring to the use and operation. Of
lights.
Under this new act the g1aring or
dazzling headlight, which long has
been a dangerous menace to night
driving, is eliminated. As a result
numerous accidents occasioned by
binding reflections obviously Will be
! avoided in the future.
Section % of the law clearly de-
fines the restrictions under which
motor cars must operate after night
fall. 1t prescribes that no lights of
, more than thirty-two candle power
shall be used and that all lights in
excess of four candle power, equip
ped with refectors, shall be so diff
fused or detected that mo dazzling
rays of light shall, at point seventy
five (75) feet or more ahead OF the
lamps, rise more than forty-two (42)
inches above the level surface upon
which the vehicle stands"
A preceding paragraph provides
that all motor vehicles while in mo-
tion shall carry two front lights
which will clearly illuminate" the
road for a distance of at least 200
feet.
This makes it imperative that all
front lights be so designed as to
eliminate any upward rays which
will tend to interfere with the vision
of driver in an approaching We
hicle or blind a pedestrian and at
the same time be of sufficient power
to illuminate the road.
The law makes it compulsory for
all motor vehicles with the exception
of a motorcycle without a side car,
to show while in motion, at least two
lights of approximately equal power
on the front of the vehicle. In the
case of a motor cycle without the
side car attached, but one light is
necessary. These lights must be vis-
ible for a distance of at least 200
feet. They must be shown during
that period starting zone hour after
sunset" and extending until "one
hour before sunrise" or whenever 1t
is impossible to see clearly for a dis
tance of 200 feet.
The customary red light must be
displayed on the rear of vehicle
and the registration plate on the rear
must be Illuminated. Where trailers
are attached or one motor vehicle Is
being towed by another, the red light
must be displayed and the registra-
tion plate illuminated. on the rear
vehicle.
Red lights on the front OF any
motor vehicle are prohibited.
Movable spotlights or searchhghts,
or other lights supplementing the two
headlights must comply with the re-
strictions outlined for the headlights.
Further, the rays from spotlights or
searchlights shall not at any time
extend to the left of the axis OF the
vehicle.
The State Highway Commissioner,
under this act, has the power TO
make necessary road and laboratory
tests to determine which lighting de-
VICES. lChoCos ClS'y SOAAPAJ "Ne~
the provisions governing headlights.
These tests soon will be underway.
Manufacturers of lenses, lamps,
etc, whose products are approved
will be awarded certificates. These
certificates will certify that such
tests have been made apd that the
device when properly applied COM
plies with the act. The buying pub
lie should be guided by these cerd-
ficates. -
Failure to comply with the various
requirements pertaining to the law
is an offense. Upon conviction the
defendant is subject to minimum
fine of SIS and a maximum fine OF $40.
Failure to pay this fine makes the
offender liable to a Jail sentence not
exceeding FIVE days. Conviction for
second offense carries with 1t
minimum fine of S25 and maximum
fine of $50 or a Jail sentence not to
exceed 10 days.
This new act Is a tangible inter
nretation of the universal law OF
the road" which every fairminded,
sportsmanlike motorist wants to live
up to. 1t is an application OF the
"golden rule" of the road. Properly
enforced 1t will remove the dangers
of might driving. It's requirements
not only do away with the glaring
headlights which are menace to all
but actually make few somewhat
careless drivers protect their own
lives by using lights which properly
illuminate their paths.
The proper and most efficient way
to enforce this law is for every motor
list to take it upon himself to live up
to its provisions. With the earnest
co-operation of every car owner. Its
enforcement will be assured and Its
true intent realized