SAFETY ON THE ROADS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22662, 17 March 1939, Page 17

SAFETY ON THE ROADS

CLEAN WINDSCREENS ESSENTIAL

“PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF

BAD VISIBILITY”

"Judging by the very many obscured windscreens and the obvious lack of visibility for the drivers, far too many motorists do not attach as much importance as they should to the vital necessity of an unobstructed view ahead," says the latest road safely message of the Automobile Association (Canterbury), Incorporated. "The principal cause of bad visibility is dust and travel grime which collect on the windscreen and windows gradually and steadily, and cause serious obscuration of the view, not only in front, but to the sides. There are other windscreens whicli have become markedly discoloured of themselves through some change in the nature oi the glass, and there are windscreens, principally on very old vehicles, which have even cracked and been patched in some way so that the pieces are kept in place. "Bad visibility means potential danger for the driver, and for pedestrians and other road users, Dust on the windscreen aggravates the effect of glare from the sun by day or from the headlights of cars by night. "The regulations demand a clean windscreen. For instance, clause 5 ol regulation 10 says: 'No person shall drive a motor vehicle fitted with a windscreen forward, of the driver unless such windscreen is at all times kept clean and clear so that the driver's vjew forward will not be impeded or obstructed,' "Maximum visibility is "essential-for maximum safety, and every driver should make absolutely certain tna his view ahead gives him the fullest opportunity of seeing any danger and thereby avoiding it.' HEADLIGHT GLARE

AGE ALTERS EFFECTS

The reason why glaring headlamps are so frequently blamed for causing traffic accidents was disclosed by an analysis made at the recent New York motor show. Tests of more than 300U persons indicated that, for. men, the ability to see while facing a glaring light reaches its maximum between the ages of-20 and 29. Males under 20 years and over-30 made lower scores. ITW lowest score was made by men over 60, the average for the age group 80 to 69 being five units, as compared with ah average of 19 units for the 20-29 years group. For males 15 years of age, the average score was 174. A further test of 2859 persons by the traffic department of the American Automobile Association substantiated the New York figures. The average obtained revealed that women under 24 years of age are slightly .superior to men-.-in their ability to resiss glar . It- was found that there is erable variation among individuals m any particular age group. For instance. of the 488 men tested in the 95-29 vears group, one-sixth made a score ashigh as* 23. The variations with age and- individuals indicated the need for a better understanding of the ability of people to see in the face of glaring lights and the means f 9 r compensating where deflciences exist.

DIAMOND T TRUCK

i PRODUCT OF LARGE MANUFACTURER

The largest independent factory in the world devoted entirely to the manufacture of trucks is; that of the Diamond T. Motor Car Company, of which one of the products is illustrated on this page. The company began operation in 1905, making pas sengercar chassis, but in 1911 it turned to the manufacture of trucks, and since that time has been engaged exclusively products Of the company are manufactured to very high standards of quality, both in materials and workmanship, and occupy a leading position in the truck business of the world. There are many refinements on the latest models, which give them the comfort and flexibility on the road of an ordinary passenger car of high The extreme care with which the trucks are built in every detail, ana the outstanding quality ofthe m atenals that go Into them, give them exceptionally long lives without trouble.