EFFICIENCY TESTS FOR CARS.

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21972, 22 December 1936, Page 15

EFFICIENCY TESTS FOR CARS.

TO TUB KUITOB OF THE I'KESS. Sir,— Regarding this periodical inspection of cars, I can hardly believe that anyone would expect benefit from such a scheme, except the garage proprietor. Whoever proposed such a thing must have had very little experience of motoring and human nature. To begin with; the chief menace is the incompetent driver of the ultra modern car, complete with marvellous brakes, but terrific acceleration and maximum speed. Now it is all very well to pilot a car throughout the driving test with flying colours at speeds never exceeding 30 miles an hour, but, to be in perfect control at speeds over this, is an entirely different matter. The excitable person in charge of the most up-to-date car is decidedly more dangerous to the public at large than the careful one driving an older and perhaps not so efficient conveyance. , In short, the safety of a car depends almost entirely on the discreet arid prompt actions of the driver. The efficiency of brakes, etc., may, I think, be safely left to the universal instinct of self-preservation. On the other hand, to solve the problem arising from the few really neglected and consequently dangerous antiques; why not authorise traffic Inspectors to test such conveyances and if necessary compel reparation?— Yours, etc., STEEL JACKSON. Southbridge, December 19, 1936.