ITEMS OF INTEREST

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 25, 31 March 1939, Page 2

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The fact that advice and admonition to motorists, as opposed to summonses and fines, resulted in a reduction of 46 per cent in the number of accidents in Lancashire over a period of six months has led one authority to make a plea for the adoption of "courtesy police" throughout the whole of Britain. If half Lancashire's improvement could be effected in the country as a whole, it would mean the saving of 1200 lives and over 40,000 injuries. According to recent statements in Parliament, it would cost £2,500,000 a year to organise the Lancashire scheme on a national basis. Never attempt to overtake another vehicle when approaching a crossroad or turning. You may have time to pass, provided the road is clear, but with the possibility of a third vehicle appearing at any moment at the crossing or turning, the proviso of a clear road cannot be assumed. When overtaking, always allow an ample margin in respect of both time and space. A new process has been evolved in America which, it is claimed, will eliminate glare caused by reflected light from glass. The process, which isystill in/a laboratory stage, is being developed by experts, who are hopeful that it may soon be commercialised. To render glass glareless, the surface of the glass is covered with a transparent film, which nullifies or neutralises rebounding light rays, with the result that framed glass so treated appears as though there were no glass at all, regardless of the angle viewed from. The process, when commercialised, will no doubt be applied to the windscreens of automobiles, thereby minimising the dazzling glare motorists have at times .to contend with. A record number of Austin cars were registered in Australia during the month of December, 1938, the total figure being 414. Actually, during the whole of 1938, nearly 4000 Austin cars were delivered to motorists in Australia, this constituting a record with an advance of 100 per cent, in two years. As prospects for British cars in the Australian market continue to be bright, it is hoped to improve on these figures during the current year. What point in the car engine travels fastest? An interesting problem, ■* and one that is often answered incorrectly. After giving it careful thought, you might be inclined to answer "any point on one of the pistons," remembering that the pistons cover twice the distance represented by the stroke for every revolution of the crankshaft. But that answer would be wrong. A point on the periphery of the fly wheel travels faster than any other part in the engine. If your battery is rather an old one, here_ is a tip which may save you considerable worry some day. The corroded material which collects around the terminals sometimes causes a sudden increase in resistance on passage of a heavy current, as occurs when the starter button is pressed. This will result in the whole electrical system suddenly going dead, for no apparent rea3on. Not only is the starter useless, but lights and ignition as well. The proper remedy is to remove and thoroughly scrape the terminals, particularly the positive, but merely to loosen the clamp and oscillate the terminal on the lead battery post a few times will effect a temporary cure.