Behind the Wheel

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 12 (Supplement)

Behind the Wheel

Going Up Driving test failures in Britain now amount to 39 per cent of those tested. Anti-Dazzle Campaign An anti-dazzle campaign has • been started in Germany, and severe penalties are in store for "dazzlers." Musical Horn A German engineer has invented a motor horn that sounds like a harp. The beating of . wings will be added later, we read. Japan's Move Japan proposes to make herself selfsufficient in an emergency. One of the industries covered is that of motor manufacturing. Quaint Tractors Latest American farm tractors have streamlined head lamps, enclosed cabs and radio. They are also alleged to be useful as tractors. Nuvolari Bereaved Signor Arturo Nuvolari, father of the famous racing driver, was killed when his motor-cycle skidded near Mantua, Italy. He was 75 years of age. Fewer Types Drastic curtailment of the number of types of German motor vehicles is almost certain under the military control that now exists. The object is to increase the efficiency of mass production by concentration on a few models.

Time Marches On A London newspaper reported that the .driver of a van said that he did not see an obstruction until it was two yards ahead of hini and right in his path. He applied his brakes, and pulled up in about 40 years.

Theft Proof An American delivery firm has fixed to its cars specially designed safes which cannot be easily removed. All cash and valuable articles are kept in these safes in case of hold-ups on the road. 0.K., provided the car is not stolen with the safe. Canada's Output

Canadian automobile factories turned out last October 5774 units, as compared with 6089 units in September and 81'03 units in October, 1937. Exports of automobiles from Canada fell from 59,508 units in 1937 to 50,038 units in 1938. Safety Fence

Fences have been erected on various corners in Denmark, so designed that if you take a x bend too fast and you cannot get round, you are automatically diverted to follow the curve of the fence and ultimately carried back to the normal road. This scheme has the approval of the Danish Ministry of Public Works. Huge Car Park

Parking accommodation for 25.000 cars has boon planned for the 194'2 World Exhibition at Rome. The necessary road-making and levelling are now Hearing completion. A new highway will link Rome with the exhibition site, which lies between the capital and the ancient port of Ostia. An airport for land and seaplanes is being built one and a-hulf miles from the exhibition.

Valuable Service The value of motor-cyclists in maintaining efficient communications in time of emergency was demonstrated during the recent bush fires in Victoria. The chairman of the Victorian Forest Commission, Mr. A. V, Galbraith, was enthusiastic about, the splendid co-operation given by motorcyclists who volunteered their services. The fine work provided for the Australian military authorities concrete evidence of the service motor-cyclists are capable of rendering in a national emergency, which calls for speedy communications when essential facilities and services are interrupted.