War-time Lighting Restrictions
Page 33
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4ANY road vehicles are not yet cornIV/plying with the restrictions on lighting contained in the Lighting ' (Restrictions) Order of September 1, but a further Order will be coming into force shortly.
When this is the case, all vehicles will have to fit either the new headlamp mask or some other device giving an equivalent reduction in lighting.
The restrictions will be such that where the head lamp is 2 ft. or more above ground level, no light will reach the ground at any point within 10 ft., and in any other case at a distance nearer to the vehicle than five times the height of the lamp above ground level. With the vehicle standing on a level road the beam must be cut off so that no light is cast above the head lamp.
The intensity• of illumination on a vertical surface 10 ft. from the head lamp must not exceed 2.5 ft. candles.
Originally the suggestion was that the mask must be fitted to the off-side head lamp. This has recently been modified to make it optional. Some people prefer to have good illumination of the kerb, others like to be certain of seeing central islands, etc., whilst the danger of head-on collisions is probably lessened by the off-side fitting. The bulb wattage must not exceed 36.
It is believed that the new Order will provide that rear lamps must be at a height not exceeding 3 ft. 6 ins, above ground level, Rear lamps and stop lights must not exceed the illumination afforded by the front lamps. Side, rear and top windows of side lamps must be completely obscured, and the lamp itself dulled by the insertion of two sheets of newspaper or painting the 'interior of the glass to give the same effect.
Interesting experiments in connection with the new masks and the brightness of other lamps are being carried out by The Electric Lamp Manufacturers Association of Great Britain, Ltd.