LOWER SIGNPOSTS ADVOCATED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 119, 17 February 1928, Page 14

LOWER SIGNPOSTS ADVOCATED

TO CATCH HEADLIGHTS. Loner signposts were advocated by Mr. G. Henning at the meeting of the Auckland Automobile Association Council recently. The suggestion is interesting in view of the tendency overseas to fit signpost.-, as low as 3 feel and 4 feet from the ground (states the Auckland “Herald”). The advantage is that there is better vision at night. If headlights are adjusted in accordance with the by-laws but little illumination will reach a post 7 feet above ground as a distance of 20 yards or 30 yards. On the other hand, the low signpost is likely to be damaged by vandals. There have been many instances of interference with the excellent signposting of the A.A.A., although most signs are out of reach. Radical changes from established practice in road signing arc recommended by the United States Government in developing its marking plan for Federal highways. 'The present plan of placing signs on high posts is discoutcnanced by the ■ American Association of Highway Officials and the United States Bureau of Public Roads, which prepared the drawings and specifications for new signs. “Under ordinary conditions,” says the Government manual, “the marker should be placed approximately 3} feet above the crown of the pavement or travelled highway. On ascending or descending grades this height may lie varied, so that the rays from the headlights may properly illumine the marker.”

In discussing “danger” and "caution” signs the Government manual suggests that “the use of these signs should be kept to a minimum consistent with an adequate degree of safety, because a too frequent use of such signs causes them to be disregarded.”

Do not forget a new spare tire, fully’ blown up and supposedly ready ' for the compulsory stop that ever hangs over the heads of all. In other words, give it a spin from time to time, or else when vou are forced to prise it adrift from its perch you find the tire too perished for use. Bear in mind the fact that light and heat are more destructive to rubber than use. Therefore change it with a tire on active service on the front wheels occasionally, as this will flex the rubber and keep it young. This short use on these wheels "will wear the tread but little. 'fires as spares should, especially in this country, never be carried so that the sun can shine upon them.

The plan of turning the fan belt inside out, if it is slipping, and the tools with which to make an adjustment are not available does not always solve the problem. In fact, it may aggravate it. A flat belt oftep becomes concave after being in use for a time, this being due either to the shape of the pulleys or to the fact that the middle of the belt may stretch more than the edges. When such a belt is reversed its inner side is then somewhat convex-, with the result that it tends to ride off the pulleys.