Citation

Lahey FH. J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 1940; 114(25): 2464-2465.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1940, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/jama.1940.02810250038012

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Nineteen thousand two hundred killed at night in motor vehicle accidents in the United States during 1938. Although less than one third of the total daily traffic was on the highways at night, 59 per cent of all fatal traffic accidents occurred during the hours of dusk and darkness. The amount of driving after drinking is higher at night and the hours of greatest fatigue are the hours of darkness ; how- ever, the Committee on Night Traffic Hazards of the National Safety Council in its 1939 report says that lowered visibility constitutes the major difference in the hazards of night and day driving. The committee points out how adequate visibility can be provided for safe night driving. Motorists should maintain their head¬ lights in good condition. Head lamps can provide safe lighting for moderate speed if the lens is clean on both sides, if the bulb is not blackened, if the reflector is clean, and if all electrical connections are kept in proper condition so as to insure adequate voltage at the lamps ; if the head lamps are aimed and focused correctly and if they are used properly; that is, if the upper beam is used when there are no approaching drivers and the lower beam is always used when approaching other drivers, and when driving on lighted highways or lighted city streets. Recent tests have shown, the committee says, that the average head lamp on the road is producing less than half its possible light output because of tarnished reflectors, dirty lenses and blackened bulbs. The new "sealed beam" headlights appearing on most 1940 passenger cars are intended to provide higher light output in the driving beam for the open road and reduce the glare for the oncoming driver when the traffic beam is used. Most city streets still have the same type of lighting equipment that existed in the horse and buggy age ; such lighting systems are wholly inadequate today from the point of view traffic.