MODERN MOTORING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 10 July 1928, Page 18

MODERN MOTORING.

MOTOR INSURANCE.

OBJECTS OF THE BILL

PROTECTING INNOCENT PARTY

The aim of the proposed bill providing for the compulsory insurance of motor vehicles against third party risks is to secure the victim of an accident against loss in the event of the responsible party being a driver of no financial capacity. Over 150,000 of the 17"),000 motor vehicles in New Zealand have current licenses and it is well known that there are thousands of people who drive borrowed cars and many thousands actually owing motor vehicles who could not make redress for damage to limb or \ property. Compulsory insurance is considered to be a necessary imposition on the many in order that protection may be guaranteed against the minority of men of straw who take risks knowing that they have nothing to lose. Third-party insurance covers only persons outside the insured vehicle. It is a liability in respect to a pedestrian struck, injury to the driver of another car, or damage to any other vehicle or property. The principle of compulsory insurance has been endorsed by several automobile associations in New Zealand, and two years ago a conference of the North and South Island Motor Unions suggested that third-party policies might be enforced at an annual premium of £1 for each vehicle. The intention was that the insurance should be relative to the car or commercial vehicle, irrespective of the driver, thus giving protection in the event of an accident while an uncertificated or unauthorised person was at the wheel. Althongh comprehensive policies are by far the most popular with New Zealand motorists, the companies also offer third-party cover. The flooding of the market with cheap second-hand cars is a strong argument in favour of compulsory insurance. It is easier to become a motorist than to meet the expenses of an accident. Several hundred second-hand cars change hands in New Zealand every month and rarely are those sold under £100 insured. The owner of a worthless vehicle may wreck another valuable car or incapacitate a breadwinner. Obligatory insurance has been sponsored in the United States for several years, but the American Automobile Association is opposed to it on the ground that it is inequitable to single out the motor vehicle. It is also considered the absence of any protection is an incentive to owners of cheap vehicles to take exceptional precautions.

THE WRONG OF GOING SIGHT

A FREQUENT CAUSE OF SMASHES. One of the many motoring queries • ontinually "cropping up" in correspond-1 cnce is that relating to the right* or I wrongs of "road stealing" when taking < a right-hand bend. A reader who has been involved in an accident through so doing asked me to explain the "acoepted procedure" governing t>3 situation (says a motoring writer). I can only say that the mere fact that an accident occurred is strong presumptiv evidence that he was at fault. I The baalj rule, both under written and I unwritten laws of the road, is that! "road stealing" is solely permifwa'ble 1 when the driver so acting has positive knowledge that no accident can be ceased through such action. If, therefore, an accident does happen through such an act, the driver is ipso facto responsible. But that does not mean that either by law or sound practice a driver should not take the right-hand section of the road—or pert of it —in known proper circumstances. Every expert >r J care- j fill driver does so—-but solely in the proper circumstances. It is vital fully to recognise the allimportant nature of that proviso. What is sound driving in correct circumstances becomes the most dangerous bad driving the instant the circumstances are not fully correct. Let us take an obvious example of the correct type. Suppose you are climbing a hill with a right-hand bend immediately in front, but, the road being a perfectly open one, you can see it clearly for a quarter of a-?nile ahead and there is nothing on it coming towards yoa. In such circumstances it i» correct at law and sound in practice to take advantage of the camber of the road and go on the right-hand section for the bend, returning to the centre or left centre after so doing. If you cannot definitely see enough clear road for you to be certain of safety in going on the wrong side then it is definitely bad to move away from your left-hand section of the road.

AN AMUSING INCIDENT IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL.

Alphonse was fond of motoring, but, for the moment, he found himself without a car. He had no intention of buying one, for, although only 20 years of age, he had had plenty of experience in obtaining cars by othef means. To put tho matter bluntly, Alphonse was a car thief. Wandering around Paris, he eventually came across the very thing, for, standing outside a synagogue, was • conduite intericure of a make which is turned out by the shovelful. Incidentally the mart production firms, whether American, French, or British, have much to answer for in the way of encouraging theft. No intelligent car thief would select a car for "pinching" purposes of which only a dozen examples are made in a year, any more than a common burglar wouM attempt to steal the Portland Vase c ,- t of the British Museum. Return to Alphouc- ; The coast being to *11 appearances tie!.'', he leapt into tha car and trod on the starter, whereUjtf/n mm'li grinding but r > othwr result. A wtirid and third application evoked #tj|| ft tor* grinding, but still no other WmtH, Kvfdcntly the owner, before proW&lUifi U> devotions, had removed WW* essHtiiM portion of tho magneto. ipV/W M'M Alp»i<»»"e exceedingly. ft# ,v.#K besldo himself with thif yomn friend's educahtiftn eiiincwlmt neglected, and WW nf btiif imti'Ol hud never WW. into Ms rather thick •ffiWWiW.-. .fvwtfto# ml of the ear again, to show how the door #1W hfl broke 'Fw# witMf tinkle of

HUGE LONDON GARAGE.

TO COST £1,000.000

Loudon is shortly to have a eight storeys high, to house 3000"motor cars.

The cost of constructing the garage, together with the price already paid for the site, will reach a million pounds. It will occupy an island site of 5.1.00" square feet close to Baker Street Station, bounded by Marylebone Road. Upper Gloucester Place, New Street and a road which is to be cut between New Street and Marylebone Road.

A 1 ready the site ha< been partialis cleared, and the opportunity is being taken to widen Marylebone Road bv 30 feet.

When a car arrives at the garage it will be handed over to a garage attendant at the entrance, the driver being given a numbered metal disc in exchange. The car will then be taken by an electric elevator to the floor on which it is to be kept. It will be possible for a driver collecting his car to band in his disc and have the car delivered to him on the ground floor in three minutes. This will be accomplished by means of an elaborate signalling system.

SIGNALLING HINTS.

One of the most common failings of the average driver is that of not giving indication of a proposed change of direction soon enough. And those who give none, or give it so inefficiently that it is invisible, are still amongst us.

The difference is that many of those who give the signal too late are otherwise good drivers. Those who do not signal at all are beyond praying for.

The only vital signal in this respect is that to indicate "I am going to turn to the right"—which is given by fully extending the right arm at right angles. But it is no use giving that signal at practically the same time as you commence to turn.

The correct way is to put your arm out in ample time, slow down gradually and "work your way" towards the right-hand turn in question. Keep the arm well out until right upon the corner, ana then, after a satisfying glance in the driving mirror <r behind, the arm may be used for steering to the right.

And may we just say to women dtivers. the dait.tier the hand the less efficient the Mgnalling. A well-extended arm is the correct thin™.

IT'S CAPACITY THAT COUNTS IN BATTERIES.

"Hauling stalled cars to the garage to be fixed costs the motorists of New Zealand hundreds of pounds every year. This bill could be greatly reduced if motorists would realise that it is poor economy to buv too small a battery for the job," says Mr. Birchall, of the local Willard service station.

True enough, the storage battery manufacturer's job is fine of supplying the largest and best battery for the price asked, while yon and the other car owners look for maximum economy in your batteTy expenditure —that is, the longest service to be had. Certain fundamental requirements must be complied with, however, before the question of cost can be even considered.

Your motor must be turned over under all conditions and in all kinds of weather —that's the first and most important requirement. The lights and spark plugs must be operated satisfactorily, once the engine starts running. Now, some engines require more electrical current than others; they may be heavier, have better compression, bearings fit tighter or the oil is cold and stiff. To meet these conditions, you have the choice of an eleven plate, thirteen plate and fifteen plate battery. It is true economy to use an "over-sized" battery for every automobile. Just as everyone realises the increased mileage, added convenience and idtimate saving in the use of over-sized tyre, the same advantages apply to the use of any over-capacity battery.

BLAME IT ON THE TYRE

He didn't put it full enough, though all the air was free: He left it soft and apongv like and scooted on with glee; He skidded rfnd he gridded and whooped through dust and mire. And when It burst, he cussed and fussed — And blamed it on the tyre. He drove it on the street car tracks with confidence suv>erb; He scraped it on the lamp posts and he scraped it on the kerb. He slammed it and he jammed it any way be might desire; And when it popped, right out he hopped— And blamed it on the tyre. He cut It on some broken glass, but said that didn't hurt: He kept right on through the mad and sand nnd filled the cut with dirt; It spotted here and spotted there and soon he howled in ire: When np it blew, he blew up, too — And blamed it on the tyre. He put on chains that ground and chewed and gouged into the tread, He knew the wheels were out of line, "But what of that?" he said; He whizzed along and sizzed along, he picked up nails and wire; And when it banged, his fist he whanged— And blamed it on the tyxe. Who is this man? Go ask the boys who meet him every day; . Oo aslc the boys who have to hear the things he has to say; He bores In and he roars in with the words of angry fire; Though he's to blame, it's all the same— fit blames it on the tyre.

—g^Conull.

PARIS PHYSICIAIf TREATS TRAFFIC MALADIES.

A doctor in Pans is now specialising in the treatment of traffic maladies.

He claim? women, especially, have been effected. Strabismus caused by constant strain upon and eliiftng of the eyes, and nervous troubles due to fear are claimed to be particularly prevalent among them. Hardworking clutches anil brakes caused many cases of varicose veins, he says.

BAD CONTACT MAY DIM LIGHTS.

Dimness of a headlight bulb may be due to a bad contact in the bulb holder. The spring plunger may not be pressing firmly up against the contact in the cap of the bulb.

If this is in order the fault may be a bad connection between the wire and the terminal screw in the holder. The possibility of a broken wire inside the covering should al?o be kept in mind.