LEARNERS’ PLATES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 16, 29 October 1938, Page 5

LEARNERS’ PLATES

A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY. PROPOSAL IN CHRISTCHURCH. Some time ago the A.A. Canterbury discussed the affixing of learners plates to cars being driven by motorists new at the art. The latest local body to go into this matter is the New Brighton Borough Council, which the other day received 'a. letter from the Commissioner of Transport, stating that it was likely that the wholie system of the issue of motor-drivers’ licences would be reviewed in the near future. One particular aspect was recently considered by the New Zealand Road Safety Council, said the letter. This was thie issue ‘of learners’ plates to .new drivers, on similar lines to the system in Great Britain. The council agreed to support the learnerplate scheme.

A NEW BRITISH CAR. DOCILITY AND PERFORMANCE. SAFE, EASY DRIVING. United Kingdom motor manufacturers have designed a car hitherto lacking in the New Zealand market. Its appeal lies chiefly in the fact that it combines docility with sports car performance. It can lie driven safely and easily by any person of either sex, and there is no necessity to “rush” hillsi in order to achieve top gear performances (says the London .correspondent of an exchange). The acceleration is phenomenal, 1030 m.p.h. in top in 6.2 seconds, 10-30 in 4.8 seconds, and 0-50 in 10.8 seconds, a performance not obtained by low gear ratio, the rear-axle being l. to 1. The car was tested at the Crystal Palace track, where a forty-yard, hill of 3) was climbed from a standing start in top. The top, gear is astonishingly flexible; from 5 m.p.h., 85 m. was reached in 22 seconds. The gear-box is fitted with synchro-mesh on third and top, but to all intents and purposes only top is necessary. The engine is a, 6-cylinder of 26.88 h.p. rating. Petrol consumption is 17-18 in.p.g. at 50 m.p.h. The springing is very successful. Transverse semi-elliptics with a cruciform cross member ensure even keel riding even on the worst corners. The braking is powerful, the equipment luxurious, and there is room for 5-6 persons.

The overall length is 14ft. Tin., width 6ft., and the turning circle is 40ft. 6in. on single lock. The sports saloon costs £430 ex works. The standard saloon is £385. SAFETY FIRST. DAMAGE WHILE PARKING. “The majority of those motorists who are careless in the process of parking their vehicles, and who damage other vehicles a/re not aware that in addition to lieing liable for such damage they may also he charged with an offence under the motor-vehicle regulations,” says the latest safety message of the Automobile Association, Canterbury, Incorporated.' “There was an instance in thfc North Island recently which illustrates the point. A motorist whose knowledge of reversing was faulty damaged the front of a parked car. An inspector saw the incident, and the motorist was inclined to be querulous about the matter. The motorist was reminded that in addition to being lesponsible for the damage done the motorist, was liable to prosecution for driving without due care and consideration, or words to that effect. “No doubt there are many drivers who look lightly on the matter oi humping and shunting cars on parking places, and a reminder that they are liable to prosecution is worth taking note of hv offenders. Much damage is done in the aggregate by drivers who lack skill in parking their cars, and needless to say owners wlio take a pride in the well-kept condition of their cap's feel a, sense of real annoyance when bumper bars are bent, or tail-liglit, or front and rear guards are scratched, scored or buckled.

“Bumper bars are placed on ears to assist in warding off humps to some extent, hut all bumpers a ( re not of standard height, a fact overlooked by drivers generally. “Much of the damage done, and trouble caused in parking would be lessened or entirely eliminated if more drivers developed proficiency in the art of reversing, and improved their judgment of distance. And there would he less fretting, and hacking and filling if motorists took the simple precaution of providing sufficient space for exit when they are parking their vehicles. Many vehicles through their inconsiderate owners are allowed lo take up more space than is necessary, it is all a matter of giving a little thought to the other fellow.” Aeroplane Mascot. Aeroplane mascots for cars have for some time enjoyed a great deal of popularity. Many of .these mascots are excellent' reproductions of actual machines, hut a model of the SliortMavo composite aircraft, the “pick-a-back” aeroplane, must represent tlio last word in this kind ol tiling. Pessimist. “I plead not guilty to this offence.” wrote a defendant, “and I enclose a remittance to cover the fine.