Evening star., 1928-10-28
DAZZLING LIGHTS
DECLARED MENACE
A. A. A. Calls on Motorists
to Do Utmost in Curb
ing Evil.

Dazzling automobile headlights. evil
dent in altogether too great numbers
on streets and highways throughout the
country, are distinct and growing
menace to motoring safety, declares q
statement from national Headquarters
of the American Automobile AsSocia-
ton, calling upon all motorists to dc
their utmost in curbing this evil which
has taken a high toll of human life
and property
Figures compiled by 10 large Amer
lean cities, according to the nation
wide motoring organization, show that
from 3 to 5 per cent of all night
time accidents are traceable to faulty
headlights, and usually the defect was
found to be glare caused ny improper
focus.
That neglect on the part of motor
lists themselves is responsible for the
glaring headlight situation is evidenced
by the records of the national motoring
body. Although the great majority OF
A. A. A. clubs provide headlight adjust
ment service for their membership OF
for the general public, there is still a
large number of motorists who do not
avail themselves of this service, it is
declared.
Safety Held Jeopardized.
1t Is pointed out by the A. A. A.
that motorists have it in their power
to ameliorate this definitely dangerous
situation if every car owner will give
the necessary attention to his own
lighting equipment.
To drive an automobile in town or
city or on the open highway with
headlights which are improperly focused
and, as a result, are dazzling for the
drivers of approaching cars, is to court
trouble for ones self and ieopardiZe the
safety of all other motorists" declares
the A. A. A. statement.
Traffic authorities are well agreed
that headlights are an aid to safe driv-
ing only when they are in proper con-
dition. Otherwise they defeat their pur-
pose and are a hinderance rather than
an assistance. To say that headlights
are in proper condition means that they
must be bright enough to light up the
roadway and at the same time be SO
focused that the beams will be bent
downward and kept out of the eyes OF
approaching drivers
Every car owner should subject his
headlights to periodic examination
Proper adjustment calls for a certain
degree of expert knowledge and If the
owner does not know how to make the
adjustment himself, he should see to II
that it is done at place maintained
or designated by the local traffic au-
thorities or motor clubs.
Few Give Attention to Lights.
"There are too few motorists who
give this attention to their lights anC
this is evidenced by the relatively small
number who report regularly to either
State or A A. A. headlight adjustment
stations for an inspection. Clubs af.
filiated with the American Automobile
Association throughout the country
provide facilities for adjustment oi
headlights. Many which maintain thi'
service offer it to the general motoring
public so that every possible assistance
is given by the motor club in Kidding
streets and highways Of glaring lights
The urgent need for proper adjust
ment of automobile headlights is ap.
parent in the relatively large number
of accidents directly traceable to failure
in this respect.
According to figures supplied by 10
large American cities, from to 5 pei
cent of the night time accidents have
their ultimate cause in improper light
ing equipment Usually it is glare, anc
occasionally driving with one light OF