ITEMS OF INTEREST

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIX, Issue 87, 1 November 1938, Page 2

ITEMS OF INTEREST

A German firm has hit upon a happy idea for encouraging its employees. Every workman with over 10 years' service is to be presented with a Volkswagen free. Those with five years' service will be given half the price of the car and those who have laboured three years get a quarter of the price.

The "average" American motorist is a; man who earns between £5 and £6 a week. He pays just over £10 in taxes and drives nearly 10,000 miles per annum. Every year the number of car owners increases by nearly a million, yet only one car owner in three has ever had a new one. ' These facts have been obtained from data collected in America recently.

The greatest traffic census ever held in the British Empire was conducted in England last month. All told, 27,000 miles of class I. roads were under close observation by 12,000 observers and checkers, with a view to obtaining intimate data in respect to the growth of traffic, types and weights of vehicles used, etc. During the operations, extending over a week, one observer, on the average, was stationed on every 5i miles of firstclass roads in that country, to check traffic. It has been found that so many motorists in Australia are colourblind that the red and green traffic signals may be abolished. Proposals for changes are being considered, the aim being to establish a uniform code for the Commonwealth. In America tests have shown that about 4 per cent, of the population (nearly five million persons) are colourblind to ! some extent. In Melbourne 3 per cent, are colourblind in some measure; 4 per cent, are weak in distinguishing red and 12 per cent, in distinguish-

ing green,

The following sound advice to beginners about to undergo a license test is reprinted from the Autocar:— "The other advice that we consider

to be well worth giving is frank, but should not be misconstrued as offensive. It is to approach the test with respect for it and those who conduct it. You are not a customer buying goods, but an applicant for permis-

sion to join a Body of qualified men and women in whose hands are vehicles capable of terrible Havoc if mishandled. Any resentment you may feel is foolish; any lack of de r ference to the trained men who examine you is rudeness. And as they are human beings who are testing candidates year in and year out for their living, try to sink your individuality, and refrain from attempting to make a jovial occasion out of it. Maintain a polite silence, unless spoken to or puzzled over some point, and drive sensibly as you would if you were alone."