Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 11

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

Stock On Roads Some constructive action from the authorities on the question of stock on main roads is long overdue. Accidents in which vehicles come around corners on a main road only to be confronted by a farmer trying to drive sheep or cattle from a car are not uncommon, and near misses, where accidents are averted only by the skill and care of drivers, are far too common. In the North Island I recently saw that one farmer had taken the matter into his own hands. He was driving cattle across a winding road, and to warn cars had placed a red flag on the

side of the road' This was < most effective, and sufficient to give warning that a hazard was ahead. Perhaps it is time such actions were mandatory, or will it be necessary to wait until a bad accident forces official action? Limit Increase [ The suggestion of the Automobile Association (Otago) that the open road speed limit for cars be raised to 60 miles an hour is full of merit. When the limit was raised to 55 miles an hour it was origin- < ally planned to raise it to f 60 miles an hour, but a voci- J forous minority succeeded in : reducing this by five miles I an hour. Some predicted that I frightful carnage would re- I suit from the increase in I speed; they have been proved I totally wrong. In fact, the J number of accidents, taking S into consideration the in- [ crease in traffic, has gone C down. Right System I An increase of five miles I an hour is a very small one. I The limit must go up over g the years, however, and this S is undoubtedly the correct D way to do it—by small in- C creases at reasonably short intervals. It is equally sure the time is ripe for another increase. When the limit was raised to 55 miles an hour, very few drivers altered their accustomed cruising speed. C Those who travelled at 45 to I] 50 miles an hour before ! generally continued to do so, n and those who travelled at I 55 to 60 miles an hour also I] continued to do so. Careful *" Transport Department checks - Showed no significant increase in the general speed pattern. New Belts

Inertia-reel seats belts are now becoming available on the New Zealand market. Made by an Auckland firm, the belts are sligihitly more expensive than normal types. They have been thoroughly tested in Britain where they have been in use for some time. This type of belt allows freedom of movement when the car is proceeding smoothly, and is also selfadjusting for different wearers. If the car corners, brakes, or accelerates, the mechanism automatically locks up. When not in use the belt retracts out of the way and into a reel. It is hoped to report on experience of these belts in use later in the year.