Evening star., 1925-08-02
HEADLIGHT ISSUE
GENERALLY TO FORE
District Far From Alone in
Strict Enforcement
of Law.

Stricter enforcement % headlight
laws is being advocated, not only in
the District Of Columbia, but in all
the States of the Union. In view Of
the large number of accidents directly
attributable to defective lights. vari-
Gus organizations interested in greater
safety on highways are eXerting every
effort to bring about adequate and
uniform headlight laws.
, Most of the States now require that
Z from 80 minutes after sunset until
SO minutes before sunrise no automo-
bile shall be operated unless it has
sufficient lights, so adjusted and op-
Grated as to make the highway safe
for the public. Motor vehicle head
lights should enable the driver to
distinguish clearly a person, vehicle
or obstruction at least 200 feet ahead
Table Is Compiled.
The Illuminating Engineering So
ciety, after considerable investigation
ara e--.1.,I .,I:-7lortation, has formulated
table of headlight intensities at diff
rerent angles which has been widely
circulated. If headlights conform TO
this table, ii is claimed, all danger of
dazzling glare will be eliminated.
Many States now require headlights
to conform to these specifications and
most manufacturers are able to fur
nish such headlights. Some of the
patented devices now on the market,
~-pweVer, do not necessarily make the
headlight intensities conform to the
standard. When purchasing such de-
vices. buyers should ask for a guar
anty. This warranty should state the
s.ze of the lamp to be used, the tilt OF
're headlight. focal adjustment re-
CURED and instructions how to get
these adjustments.
A bulletin of the society advises:
"A homemade arrangement can be
devised to give satisfactory results II
lens is properly covered, frosted or
painted mot red. If light is at or
back of focus, paint upper half of
kens; if ahead Of focus, light rays
cross, so paint lower half of lens.
Different devices require different
sizes of bulbs Headlight bulbs in
some States are not allowed to exceed
a rating of "a candle9ower; in other
States the maximum is 81 candle
power.
To Adjust Bulbs.
THE bulb in some headlights can be
, moved slightly backward or forward
= 81 adjusting a small set screw. To
focus a bulb, allow light to shine on
wall % feet away. Move bulb back
ward and forward until the circle OF
4. fight on wall is Of smallest possible
diameter The majority Of headlight
: devices call for this adjustment. A
: few call for an adjustment either be-
F; hind or ahead of the focal center: cor
: ssect adjustments for either position
T, gives largest possible spot of light
; without a dark or shaded center.
; AHeadlights should be tilted up or
: down as required by the different
. types of headlight devices. Car VI
: sbration easily changes the tilt and
focal adjustment: frequent tests and
; readiustments are necessary.
(, 'HDotlight should be installed as
4. high up on the car as practicable. 1t
should be impossible to make the cen
.ter % its beam of light strike the level
: highway more than so feet ahead of
sthe car: except when swung 80 de
:grees to right or left of straight ahead
position, then no limitation is placed
Son the height to which the beam ray
may bs raised. Size of lamp used in
: spotlight should not exceed a. rating
of 81 candlepower.
: always carry spare bulb Tor your
headlights, the same as you do a
spare tire.
Headlight lens may loosen and
3 rotate in the frame: inspect it fire.
: :quently, adjust and tighten 1t if neces-
sary."