Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-05-04
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INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
OF WISCONSIN-MOTOR-
lists MUST ADJUST
HEADLIGHT

Automobile accidents are on the in
crease and glare from headlights is
one of the principle causes. Both in
sufficient light and unnecessary dazzle
are dangerous, says the Industrial
Commission.
To remedy these evils and to make
the use of the highways safe for all
persons, the 1919 legislature passed
a law requiring all mOtor-driyen We
hiclea to be equipped with lights which
will enable a mOtorist to distinguish
a substantial object 200 feet ahead,
but which at the same time must be
free from dangerous glare or dazzle.
The legislature also made it the duty
of the Industrial Commission to fix
the standards which will meet these
general requirements.
The Industrial Commission has now
discharged this duty, and upon the
advice of committee of experts in
this field and after extensive public
hearings has issued orders on auto
mobile lights. These orders become
effective May /. 1920, and have the
force of law. If an accident happens
and your lights do not comply with
these orders, this is. in law, conclu-
sive evidence of negligence on your
part.
Motorists cannot satisfy the new or
ders by merely painting the top of
their lens. 1t is entirely possible to
comply with the new orders without
buying any patented devices, but to
do so motorists must pay attention to
having their lamps of the proper candle
power rating. to the proper focusing
of lamps in their refiectOrs, and 20 the
proper fitting of the headlights, If any
is required. Instructions upon how
motorists may comply with the new
orders without buying special lenses
are now in the hands of the state
printer. A card addressed to the In
dustrial Commission, Madison. will
bring you a copy of these instructions.
. Do not attempt to make adjustments
without having these instructions, or
else consult your garage man.
Many motorists prefer to buy the
better kinds of special lenses because
they are not expensive and IL properly
adjusted will give superior results.
No specific type of liens" or other non
glare device is required. The regula-
tiOns state the results that must be
secured, and any device that complies
with these requirements is legal
There is no approved list of lenses.
Even the best lens will not meet the
requirements if not properly adjusted.
When you buy a patented lens be
sure that you get the right kind of a
guarantee. A guarantee which merely
states that a particular lens meets the
state requirements is practically use
less. To be worth anything the guar
antee should contain a statement Ofthe
largest size lamp bulb, in candle pow
er, for both the vacuum and gas-filled
types. that may be used. the tilt of the
head light Cif any that is required.
the focal adjustment required and in
structiOns how to obtain such focal
adjustment. The guarantee should
state also that the conditions speci-
fed therein are in accordance with
the results of test made by an indie
pendent laboratory or recognized
standing. and the name of this labOra-
tory should be given
Motorists should also know that
quite a few of the patented lenses do
not comply with the orders. particular
ly those that broadly scatter the beam
of light through a wide angle such as
lenses o! flOrentine, ground. strippled
or all-frOsted glass and some special
lenses based on similar priciples.
Likewise all-frosting the lamp bulb
will not comply.
Remember also that the vibration of
the car may change the adjustment
and that new lamp bulbs must be in
stalled when the lamps burn out.
Have your dealer show you how to
keep wOur headlights properly ad-
justed.
Dazzling headlights have long been
a nuisance and a menace to the COM
fort and safety of motorists and others
who use the highway. Every motorist
should comply with the new orders.
not only because thy are law. but also
because they make night driving SAT
er and more pleasurable.