PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21197, 22 June 1934, Page 7

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS

SAFETY ZONES AND SPEED J LIMITS DISCUSSION IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT © The Minister for Transport, Mr Oliver Stanley, stated in a Standing Committee of the House of Commons that a large-scale experiment with pedestrian crossing-places would be undertaken in London. ~ . i The committee was considering the Government's Road Traffic _ Bill, there was a lively discussion on the relative merits of crossing-places, ana the speed limit of 30 miles an hour in built-up areas as means of preventing accidents. , Sir William Brass had proposed a provision that the "speed limit clause should not be nut into operation until after the Minister had laid before Parliament a report stating the results achieved over 12 months in the pievention of accidents by the establishment of crossings for foot passengers. He argued that before taking the retrograde step of imposing a speed limit over such toide areas the experience of Paris in the provision of pedestrian crossings should be tested He claimed that motorists would drive at such a speed as to ensure that they did not injure anyone between "safety studs" marking the road crossings. The essence of the scheme was that in congested built-up areas there should be "literally thousands" of such crossings. Mr Stanley declined to accept the amendment, and asked: "When we see the figures showing an increase of 13 per cent, in fatal accidents compared with last year, are those of us who believe in a speed limit going to agree in any circumstances to postpone what we believe to be a life-saving device for 12 months?" "Almost Prejudice" Captain Strickland said that at the end of 12 months there would be no need for the speed restrictions if pedestrian crossings were provided. Colonel Moore Brabazon declared: "The Minister has got. into his head the idea that the speed limit is the one and only solution. He almost shows prejudice in that direction." Mr Stanley then gave his assurance that he would press on with all possible speed with the experiment of crossing-places in London. The results could be compared with the results of the speed limit in other parts of the country, and it could thus be ascertained which method was having most effect in reducing the number of accidents. Sir Henry Jackson, chairman of the London Traffic Advisory Committee, added the statement that local authorities in the London traffic area were now pressing on with the provision o£ pedestrian crossings. Mr H. G. Williams: If I were in charge of the job I could have a large number of crossing-places in operation in a fortnight. The; amendment was rejected by 23 votes to 10. RUST PREVENTION PROTECTING SPARE PARTS The problem of protecting iron and steel from rust occasionally arises in garages and repair shops, where large stocks of spare parts are kept on hand. In the case of new parts, such as piston rings, the manufacturers usually apply a temporary protective coating. Other goods may not be thus protected. In any case, additional coating will do no harm.

I There is a variety of substances which may be used. The simplest method is to smear the article with a fairly thick oil. This gives some protection, but the oil eventually drains off and, if used in a show window, leaves unsightly patches. Vaseline used when warm is rather better, as, when cold, the coating is set and does not run off. There is, however, the disadvantage that the coating is usually thick and does not improve the appearance of the article. None of these substances has the protective power of neutral wool fat, or lanoline, as it is more generally known. The consistency of this material is such that it is almost impossible to use it cold. It must be usea either hot or, preferably, from solution. The best medium to employ is benzine, or one of the non-inflammable chlorinated solvents. It can, however, be used from a petrol or paraffin solution, j 1 may be applied by any convenient means. On drying, the film is tough and clastic. It is not easily damaged by handling and will withstand a considerable amount of heal before it is removed. At the same time, it is easy to remove by wiping over with a rag which has been damped with either petrol or paraffin. The protection given by such a solution is effective for years and it has been approved by the National Physical Laboratory. A solution containing 23-30 per cent, of the wool fat should be used. For certain articles which are not protected, a coat of a cheap black varnish is valuable; there is 110 need to go to the expense of a better-class lacquer or enamel. The black, as used by engineers and frequently sold as chassis black is, in spite of its cheapness, one of the best anti-rust preparations. The cheapest of the black varnishes, known as "tar varnishes," should not, be employed. These remain permanently tacky and, although they have their uses, they are not suitable for motor parts. Spirit varnishes are not recommended, because they are extremely liable to chip oft' metal components. LUCK IN ACCIDENTS In a recent statement the president cf the Automobile Club of New York said that nine out of 10 motor-cars involved in accidents are in good mechanical condition before suffering the fractures and contusions into which their operators drive them. This, he says, is established by extensive accident analysis. A writer in the "New York Times'' comments: It scarcely takes an analysis of accident statistics to convince anyone of the truth of this conclusion. All one has to do is to watch persons drive. Stand on any busy street corner five minutes, and you will see one or more accidents that might have been, if they do not actually take place. Drive a short distance on any travelled highway, and you will see one or more accidents that do not happen purely because of luck. And this is going on everywhere all the time. Hy the old reliable law of averages, this condition produces its daily quota of accidents that do occur. The very fact that many accidents are avoided by pure luck means that others are not avoided—-because luck never works 24 hours a day seven days a week for anyone.