§ 38. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the valuable anti-dazzle qualities of the yellow bulb in headlights; and whether he will recommend the adoption of this proven aid to safer night driving.
§ Mr. MarplesNo, Sir. Scientific investigation does not support the view that yellow headlamps which give the same seeing distance as white lamps cause less dazzle.
§ Mr. ShepherdIs my right hon. Friend aware that, whatever scientific opinion may decide, the users of yellow lights—in France, for example—find them of great benefit? Will he pay less regard to science in this matter than to hard, practical experience?
§ Mr. MarplesThis is a common fallacy. It is not possible to make straight comparison between the French yellow beam and the British white beam, for two reasons. The first is that the French yellow bulb has a lower intensity than the British bulb. It appears, therefore, less dazzling, but only because the light it gives is of a lower intensity and the lower intensity itself has disadvantages to drivers if they have the yellow bulbs they have in France. Secondly, the dipped beam of a European headlamp has a slightly sharper cut-off than the British lamp when dipped, but it is coupled with a reduction in seeing distance with the European lamp. For these reasons, it is not really possible to make a simple comparison, such as the hon. Member has made.
§ Sir G. NicholsonYes, but has not the time arrived when my right hon. Friend should cease to shelter behind the so-called experts when everyone with common sense—and, after all, we are all experts on motoring—knows that 1318 yellow lights are more restful to the eyes? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I think everybody with common sense knows this. Cannot we arrange for yellow lights with the same sort of range beam as the white beam to be tried by ordinary people of common sense, not experts?
§ Mr. MarplesAll I can say is that it is true, as my hon. Friend says, that everybody is an expert on traffic, but, unfortunately, all their opinions differ from one another.
Mr. J. T. PriceBut seriously, if the Minister's scientific advisers reject the yellow lighting system for the reasons he has given us, what have they said of the whole development of polarised lighting? There has been a great deal of research done into polarised lighting. With what results, I should like to know?
§ Sir G. NicholsonIt gives no light at all.
Mr. PriceI am not asking the hon. Gentleman, I am asking the Minister. Is not polarised lighting a possible way of dealing with this dazzle problem and the fantastic anti-dazzle fencing referred to in another Question? What is really being done about this? It seems to me a scientific method of approach which ought to be considered.
§ Mr. MarplesIf the hon. Member will put a Question down about polarised lighting I will try to answer it, but I think most of the dazzle would be avoided if headlamps were properly adjusted.