Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-27
HEADLIGHT GLARES
DECLARED MENACE
D. C. Officials Propose War
on Unlicensed Motor Lamps
That Hazard Lives.
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

Unlicensed automobile headlights
which glare their way through the
streets of Washington, to the intense
discomfort and danger Of both motor
lists and pedestrians, today were char
acterized as a serious menace to pub
lie safety by District officials who are
charged with the duty of controlling
and moving traffic safely.
That there are thousands or motor
cars being driven every evening
throughout the city with headlights
that further complicate all traff1c prop
lens and expose all users OF the
streets to additional danger was con-
coded.
Impressed with the hazard to life
which is so evident with so many
more cars in use during the Summer
season, local officials are prepared to
take immediate steps to eliminate as
many improperly adjusted lamps as
they can from the daily traffic stream.
They appeal to Washington motorists
as q body to have their headlights
inspected by some one trained for the
task. But authorities make 1t clear
that those who fail to perform this
self-imposed duty will have to be dealt
with in a more insistent manner.
Hariand Making Observations.
William II. Harland director of
traffic, has been observing the stu
alton closely and believes that the
number of outof focus headlamps is
great enough to create a serious and
dangerous phase of the Districts
traffic problem.
MY observation has been that there
is a very great number of cars being
RI Mt irl1 IT,, Nya h
headlights that are anything but
properly focused said Mr.. Harland.
Il see them everywhere and have
heard numerous complaints about
them. 1t seems apparent to me after
observing conditions myself that i'm
properly adjusted headlights create
q serious situation from every stand
point.
There is no question that they are
very definitely dangerous for motor
lists especially, for one cannot have
the necessary control of a car when
temporarily blinded by the dazzling
lights of oncoming traffic. There is
but one thing to do under such cir
cumstanceS. and that Is to slow down
or come almost to a complete stop.
That, of course, tends to slow the
movement of traffic, and that tend
ency has dangerous phases of it's own.
So. from several standpoints, head.
lights need adjustment and proper
focusing if traffic is to be moved with
expedition. with safety and with COM
fort for all concerned.
Duty of Motorists Cited.
While constant checking by the
police is necessary. the remedy is. to
q great extent, within the power of
motorists themselves They are the
ones who can make the effort to keep
their lights in proper focus at all
times. The headlights should be given
attention just as any other device on
the car. IL every motorists will have
his headlamps examined periodically
it will aid UNNECESSARILY toward elimi-
mating what is certainly a serious
menace to public safety"
Inspector E. w. Brown. head of the
traffic bureau of the Police Depart
ment, also states he has noticed an
unwelcome increase of Unlicensed head
lights since the fine weather has
brought out many more cars. Traffic
police, he declares, will redouble the
efforts they have been bending toward
the elimination of this evil
Serious Handicap, Brown Says.
"There is no doubt that automobile
headlamps which are tilted so as to
throw glare into the eyes of the on.
coming driver are a serious handicap
to any attempt at safe motoring" said
Inspector Brown, discussing this phase
OF automobiling In Washington. 81
see too many Unlicensed lights here
and believe that some special effort
will have to be made to cope with the
situation. We have been doing what
we could to bring motorists to a real
ization OF the Importance of keeping
their headlights in proper adjustment.
But with SO many out of focus, I be-
lieve the matter will have to be called
to their attention with considerably
more empha sis"
1t is Inspector Browns opinion that
an extension of the use of the print
ed warning tickets used by traffic Off
GERS will be an effective means of deal
ing with the situation. Heretofore
only the traffic squad was supplied
with these tickets, which warned the
motorist of some defect of his motor
ing equipment and gave him 4S hours
within which to have it corrected.
No collateral was required, but If the
warning went upheeded, the procedure
then called for issuance of warrant
and arraignment of the offender in
Traffic Court.
Various Offenses Listed.
Included in the Is offenses for which
the tickets were given are Illegal
lenses, no lights, one light out, INSULT
cient lights and dazzling lights. In
the case of glazing lights, where focus
ing of the lamps will correct the
trouble, the motorist reports to the
Traffic Bureau, 1414 PENNSYLVANIA
avenue northwest, and is given an
examination of his lights by men
trained in this work There Is no
charge preferred or other penalty i'm.
posed, provided the motorist does his
part and reports for the adjustment
within the specified time.
Motorists. in Inspector Browns
opinion, do not take sumcient advan.
tage of the Police Department. head.
lights testing station, which is main
tanned in the rear of the Traffic Blu
reau. There are from Is TO 20 cars
examined each day on an average,
many of them being brought in volUn.
tarily. The number. the inspector he
lilEaE ShnIlI6 ho cAya..mn L.