Evening star., 1925-03-22
Dirnn'ing Lights Dangerous,
Illuminating Expert Says
Safety in Night Driving Lies in Other
Directions, Edison Lamp Man Declares.
Diffusing Lenses Are Recommended.

Dimmins Of headlights is a prac-
tice that is fast going out Of vogue
and one that is not only unpopular,
but dangerous, according to G. II.
Stickney Illuminating e1 ginesr of
the Edison Lamp Works. Safe driv-
ing at night in his opinion demands
that the headlights be strong enough
to throw a ray 100 TO 200 feet in ad-
vance. Although there has been some
difficulty In directing the light where
wanted without subJecting other mo-
torists to intolerable glare, and thus
insure serious accident hazard, dim
ming is said to be not the solution
of the problem.
Dimming blinds the driver and in
ours for him as serious a hazard as
the glare does for others. With in
creasing travel, the more frequent
dimming becomes quite a burden. To
obviate this condition, probably the
best scheme thus far devised is the
detection of the light, unually by
prismatic glass lenses. so as TO il
illuminate the roadway and prevent
enough light rising 10 the eye level
to cause serious glare.
should illuminate Roadside.
''It is desirable TO have beam
wide enough to illuminate the bitches
or other obstructions at the edge of
the road" Mr.. Stickney says, "espec-
tally around slight curvatures. There
fore, most of the lenses have prisms
designed to widen the beam. 1t is
possible to produce the spread by the
use of specially designed refiectors,
and the light can be detected by a
n in nF
States. representing more than
half OF the motor vehicle registration
of the United States. have adopted
regulations incorporating the prin-
ciple Of DETECTION and spread. These
regulations are based on the specifica-
tions prepared by the Illuminating
Engineering Society after an extend
ed study of the problem in coIlabora-
| tion with some OF the State author
| titles, representatives of the Society of
Automotive Engineers, and other in
| terested organizations.
Motorists have, with the exception
| of few carelsss or reckless drivers,
shown real desire to comply with
the regulations. To make the appli-
| cation practicable. however. two
| things are necessary. First, the
| equipment sold must be capable Of
meeting the requirements in service.
| and, second, motorists must keen
| them in adjustment especially on re-
| moving lamps.
| Adjustment Is Easy.
"If on a level road, the beam shows
| bright on Il vehicle or building, above
| the level of the headlights, or if there
| are dark spots in the illuminated
area. II is an evidence of the need Of
| adjustment. This is not difficult
operation and can be easily carried
out in accordance with the instruc-
tons prepared for the particular de-
vice.
The increased comfort and safety
| of driving with proper illumination
is enough TO warrant the trouble.
Besides that there is the satisfac-
ton of giving the other fellow a fair
show. The golden rule works both
ways, and when il is the style for
| every one to keep his headlights well
adjusted, night driving will be safer
and more pleasant for all. With
properly adjusted headlights, there
| should seldom be occasion for dim
| ming.
| From my own experience. it has
| been evident that some drivers are
suspicious of any headlight which
throws a good light on the road
| ahead, and signal imperatively for