Auto Gossip by A. J. P.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31255, 30 December 1966, Page 7

Auto Gossip by A. J. P.

Peace Disturbed How often the air at otherwise pleasant and peaceful picnic spots is made hideous by blaring radios! I encountered a typical example of this a few days ago: some women, sunbathing about 20ft from their car, had a transistor radio propped on the bonnet At near full volume, it could be heard at any part of the picnic area. Why the sunbathers could not put the radio beside them and turn down the volume I do not know. A little thoughtfulness would have gone a long way. Belts Required Judging by the conversation I heard recently in a new-car showroom, some persons are still unaware that seat belts must be fitted to the front seats of all new cars. The onus is largely on the owner of the car: the regulation stipulates that no person shall drive a new car unless it is fitted with belts. The purchaser is free to choose the type of belt he wants fitted: it is wise to make the choice well before the car is due to be delivered so as to be sure of getting the belts you want. The combination i lap-and-diagonal belts are probably the best choice. Irresponsible It is remarkable how some persons seem to be able to escape the consequences of the most foolish actions. A few days ago, in the thick of the Christmas traffic, I was driving along one of the city’s* busiest roads behind a large new car driven by a middleaged woman. Beside her on the front seat stood a small child—risk number one. Quite suddenly the women noticed her hat was awry, and, looking at herself in the rear-vision mirror, took both hands off the wheel for several seconds and adjusted the hat to her satisfaction, while

the car veered across the road. It narrowly missed a cyclist and a parked car before she put her hands back on the wheel and resumed control. Can a person as irresponsible and thoughtless as that be fit to drive? Locking Up Most of us have the common sense to lock our cars securely when we leave them, but how few remember to lock the boot Do not make things too easy for the lightfingered; always make sure you lock both the boot and the doors. Valuables are best left out of sight in the boot where they are often more secure than inside the car itself—unless in a locked glove box, perhaps. Better still, do not leave valuables in the car if you can avoid it, and always make sure the windows, as well as the doors, are locked. An open front quarter-light is an invitation to the dishonest. Braking Test Many motorists have no real idea of just how much braking distances increase on a wet greasy road this is borne out by the number of accidents that occur under these conditions when drivers fail to stop in time. If you are on a deserted road under these conditions but make sure it is deserted try a panic stop from, say, 20 m.p.h. and see how you get on. You may well find the results dismaying. A little braking practice on a greasy surface (a damp paddock is ideal) will probably improve your judgment and give you practice at controlling the car when it

starts to slew off line, as it probably will. Experiment with different braking techniques. such as dabbing the brakes rapidly rather than just locking the wheels, until you find the one that gives you the shortest stopping distance. Remember, too, that greasy roads are not just a winter menace: a summer shower can make roads far more treacherous than does a winter downpour. Quote of the Week “I would emphasise that driving at 55 m.p.h. can be infinitely more dangerous under adverse conditions than a much greater speed under favourable conditions. Our experience is that speed must be related to road conditions, concentration of traffic, the condition of the vehicle being driven, and all other relevant factors. It is the Automobile Association’s firm view that it is excessive speed in the circumstances that is dangerous, and not high speed, when such a speed is creating no danger.”—The president of the New Zealand Automobile Association (Mr H. W. Dowling).