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Show LIGHTING HINTS FOR CAR SAFETY Laws Require Adjustment and Operation to Insure Protection on Roads. (By S. J. Williams. Director Public Safety Division, National Safety Council.) Laws In most states now require that 30 minutes after sunset until 80 minutes before sunrise no automobile shall be operated unless It has sufficient suf-ficient lights, so adjusted and operated operat-ed as to make the highway safe for the public. Motor vehicle headlights should enable the driver to distinguish clearly a person, vehicle or obstruction obstruc-tion at least 200 feet ahead. Dangerous Danger-ous glare or dazzle should be avoided. Lights to Display. Cars should display : (A) Two headlights head-lights when In motion, one on each side, both lights of equal power. Headlights Head-lights should be white or tinted but never red. (B) Headlights or side parking light when motionless. Lights should be visible at a distance of at least 500 feet. (C) One tail-light, red, that Is visible at a distance of at least 500 feet. Lights should be displayed whether car Is in motion or standing. Tail-light should be at left or center of car and Illuminate license number plate with a white light. The Illuminating Engineering society, soci-ety, after considerable investigation and experimentation, has formulated a' table of headlight intensities at different dif-ferent angles which has been widely circulated. If headlights conform to this table, all dangerous or dazzling glare will be eliminated. Many states now require headlights to conform to these specifications and most manufacturers manufac-turers are able to furnish such headlights. head-lights. Some of the patented devices now on the market, however, do not necessarily make the headlight Intensities Intensi-ties conform to the standard. When purchasing such devices, buyers should ask for a guaranty. This warranty should state the size of the lamp to be used, the tilt of the headlight, focal adjustment required and instructions how to get these adjustments. A home-made arrangement can be devised to give satisfactory results if lens Is properly covered, frosted or painted (not red). If light Is at or back of focus, paint upper half of lens ; If ahead of focus, light rays cross, so paint lower half of lens. Sizes of Bulbs. Different devices require different sizes of bulbs. Headlight bulbs In some states are not allowed to exceed ex-ceed a rating of 24 candle-power; in other states the maximum la 32 candle-power. The bulb In some headlights can be moved slightly backward or forward by adjusting a small set-screw. To focus a bulb, allow light to shine on a wall 25 feet away. Move bulb backward back-ward or forward until the circle of light on wall Is of smallest possible diameter. The majority of headlight devices call for this adjustment. A few call for an adjustment either behind be-hind or ahead of the focal center; correct adjustment for either position posi-tion gives largest possible spot of light without a 'dark or shaded center. cen-ter. Headlights should be tilted up or down as required by the different types of headlight devices. Car vibration vi-bration easily changes the tilt and focal adjustments; frequent tests and readjustments are necessary. Spotlight should be installed as high up on the car as practicable. It should be impossible to make the center cen-ter of its beam of light strike the level highway more than 50 feet ahead of the car; except when swung 30 degrees de-grees to right or left of straight ahead position, then no limitation is placed on the height to which the beam ray may be raised. Size of lamp used In spotlight should not exceed a rating of 21 candle-power. Always carry a spare bulb for your headlights, the same as you do a spare tire. Headlight lens may loosen and rotate ro-tate in the frame; inspect it frequently, frequent-ly, adjust and tighten if necessary. Rellectors need careful attention. |