The Washington herald., 1922-06-11

to succeed was for all cars to dim
lights.
The secret OF good driving at
night is not asking the other fellow
to dim his lights but to use strong
lights properly focused. when
/ lights are not focused properly and
send their rays crosswise of the
road or up In the air. the driver Is
not only deprived Of good lights but
also becomes a nuisance to the mo-
torist approaching from the oppo-
site direction.
When a spotlight Is used on the
windshield post its rays should be
focused to strike the road immedi-
ately in front of the right-hand
fender. In any other position 1t
fails to fulnll its purpose and con-
fuses other drivers.
Proper focusing of lights makes
IL possible for the driver to keep
his eyes on the road. While II may
be somewhat natural for ones at
tention to be attracted to bright
! lights. It Is not at all difficult with
a little practice to ignore them
completely. remembering only that
they are the sign of an approaching
car.
The next time you are driving at
night and meet a car with bright
lights just try this experiment.
Don't signal for the other driver to
dim his lights. Let them tell you
the course Of his car but don't look
directly into them. And then keep
your car on your side of the road
and watch the highway ahead Of
you directly in front of your car
and to the right-hand side.
You will be surprised how simple
a matter II is to drive easily and
safely In the glare Of powerful
lights.
Another good thing for motoring
would result II pedestrians would
acquire the habit of walking on the
left of the road. much In the man
ner that experienced railroad men
always walk on the left-hand track
on double-track systems. In this
way the pedestrian or the track
walker can see what is coming and
can direct his steps in advance Of
any danger Of being run down.
Improved highways have been q
great boon to residents of country
districts and sections on the out
skirts of towns and cities. Good
roads mean better walks for them
and il Is. not at all uncommon to
find many of them out at night.
enjoying the air, perhaps wheeling
baby carriages or walking with
children in hand.
How easy It is to miss seeing
these pedestrians. who are entitled
to walk on the good, roads provided
for the community, when one is
driving with dimmed electric lights.
They are lost in the darkness and
II they are on the right-hand side
of the road. they have no warning
Of the approach of a motor car
when the car is coming from the
rear with very dim lights.
Regulations controlling the use Of
electric lights are of great concern
to those who drive. An Intelligent
use of the roads Is needed and like
wise an intelligent use of electric
headIamps.
Think of the instances that have
come to your attention where acci-
dents have resulted from driving
with dimmed lights. And then try
to recall those that might have
come from bright lights II you
think that you should lessen the
speed of your car in the face of
BRIGHT lights. verv well: but for the
safety of yourself and others who
may be on the road. stop dead still
IL you think that you must dim your
lights when another car approaches
you.
1t Is not a question Of reducing
the strength of headlights so much
as 1t is one of making the best use
of stronger light properly focused.
Bucks Review.