Reliability Trials

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27873, 23 January 1956, Page 10

Reliability Trials

In a letter printed on Friday a correspondent discussed the recent “reliability trial” for cars, which was a part of the celebrations of the Southland centennial. Since modern motor-cars are tested extensively by manufacturers before they are put

on the market, and their performance is well known (and discussed) by their many owners, the value of “ reliability trials ” is questionable. As long as they observe the law in every respect, car owners, if they are so disposed, are entitled to take part in such competitions. But, as the correspondent said, the law is not observed when drivers suffer fatigue and their faculties are not equal to the demands of safe driving. From reports from various places on the route, the schedule of the “ reliability trial ” imposed heavy strains on drivers, particularly during the 16-hour night drive from Christchurch to Nelson. It has been reliably reported that drivers found it difficult not to fall asleep at the wheel; and they had been compelled to resort to various means to keep themselves awake. One driver, it was said, went to sleep on this section of the run and his car ran over a bank, fortunately without injury to the occupants. It caused no astonishment that at Nelson, after the night run, crews commented that they felt the trial was more an endurance test for drivers than for reliability of cars. Some may regard testing the endurance of car drivers as worthwhile, just as the endurance of men and animals is tested in various sports. But there is a difference; and it must be emphasised strongly. It is that the public roads are certainly not the place for testing the endurance of

a car driver. A driver taxed to the limit of his endurance becomes a menace not only to himself and his passengers, but to other persons on the roads, who should be able to expect a safe standard of driving from anyone.