asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has noted the great reduction in traffic accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians, which has resulted from the compulsory use of dipped headlights on motor vehicles in certain British cities; and whether he is prepared to introduce similar regulations here, even if only for a trial period.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Compulsory Dipping of Headlights.
41.
Reports of the results of the campaign in Britain for the use of dipped headlights in built-up areas on a voluntary basis suggest that a similar course should be adopted here and in the statement issued to the public on the proposed new lighting regulations it was recommended that dipped headlamps should be used in streets where public lighting is not of the highest standard. It does not seem to be practicable to make compulsory regulations, but the matter will be kept under review.
Is it not correct to say that the investigation in the British cities mentioned resulted in a report in favour of dipped headlights as opposed to side or parking lights?
There was first a preliminary try-out of this effort in one of the English cities. It was only for two weeks and there was a lot of publicity attaching to it. The results after these two weeks, taken in isolation, would appear to substantiate the claim that this was a practice that should be followed. On the other hand, it was felt that two weeks was too short a period and a further experimental period was commenced and after ten weeks a survey of the results was carried out which, again, goes to show that this is a practice that is worthwhile. Even after that ten weeks it is still felt that until there is a further and clearer picture of the real benefit of this practice, the ten weeks and the two weeks periods, including all the publicity that went with them, could not be a full and reliable guide. We are keeping in touch with the matter.
I was only concerned that the impression should not be created that a comparison was being made between dimmed and full headlights; that it is between dimmed headlights and sidelights.
Yes. That is quite correct.