The Need for Better Vehicle Lightirg.
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TIRAVELLER,S upon the highways and byways,
whose business or pleasure keep them out after dark, frequently pass unfavourable comment upon the standard of illumination obtaining on transport vehicles. The private motorcar, as a rule, is adequately, and in some cases excessively, lighted ; the. motorcycle, either solo or with sidecar, is reasonably well equipped, but only too often does a commercial vehicle cause inconvenience to others in this respect. Setting aside for the moment the danger to the business vehicle, we must consider the duty owed to the public. Passenger carriers generally are not such serious offenders as the operators of lorries and vans, but examples occur only too often in both classes. The bulk and speed of modern commercial vehicles warrant the maximum care being taken, not only to comply with the bare letter of the law, but to assist all road users in the common duty of ensuring safety for vehicular and pedestrian traffic alike. Accessory manufacturers supply efficient and moderately priced lighting equipment ; therefore, the use of such makeshifts as hurricane lanterns attached with string or wire to any convenient projection is unjustifiable except in the ease of emer gency. The cost
of dynamo sets is probably prohibi tive for many small hauliers and carriers
whose vehicles may be of an old pattern, but other sati sfactory systems are in existence and no. m a n reasonably can claim exemption from an obvious duty on the grounds of high cost. • Any person engaged in business must realize that burdens fall upon him in the course of his relations with the general public; arid hauliers and carriers should never let it be said that they, as a class, are oblivious to their obligations.