SAFETY FIRST

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 December 1930, Page 15

SAFETY FIRST

HINTS FOR- OWNERS. If it were possible to carry out an examination of all vehicles on the road, with the view to discovering those which could be considered safe in every detail, it is to be feared that the number would be woefully small—the word “vehicle” including everything on

wheels that uses the roads.- -In saying so it is not implied, of course, that the majority of vehicles are in a dangerous condition; but it is suggested that if every detail bearing upon the question of safety in all' its aspects were considered, large numbers of them would he found wanting. So far as cars are concerned every driver should make a point of seeing that his brakes are in good condition and sufficiently powerful to stop the car in a reasonable distance, no matter at what speed it may be travelling. A car cannot be considered as absolutely’ safe if its brakes are in any way defective or if the brake linings have worn down excessively, when replacement should be undertaken immediately with friction fabric of reliable quality. All undue play in the steering mechanism should be taken up either bv adjustment or by the substitution of new parts. Steering backlash may make it difficult to handle the car accurately when driving fast, and, furthermore, may give rise to wheel wobble.

Wheel alignment has a distinct bearing upon the safety of the car, since if the wheels are not- correctly in line steering may be“~dift’icult and tyre wear excessive. There is also the risk that a worn tyre will burst. -A. light wooden lath is quite convenient as a measuring instrument foi wheel alignment.

An engine which responds instantly to the throttle is another requirement of “Safety First,” because it is sometimes necessary to be able to accelerate rapidly, and this cannot be done if, on depressing the accelerator suddenly, a flat spot develops and the engine stalls. Every effort should be made to tune the carburettor-for snappy acceleration, although there is no reason to take advantage of this feature in normal driving.

In rainy weather a first-class screenwiper is ’a safety essential, and care should be taken to see that the wiper is in good order. Preferably the windscreen should he of unbreakable glass, for the driver’s and passengers’ protection against injury due to flying splinters in the event of collision. The driving mirror should always be kept clean, and be set at an angle which enables- the driver to see as much as possible of the road behind without shifting his position. And in this connection a point not always appreciated is that driving comfort plays a large part in safety. If the seating position is uncomfortable, therefore, steps should he taken to improve .matters.

Good driving visibility, of course, is essential, and for safety in night driving the lighting equipment, including the battery, should be regularly inspected and maintained at concert pitch. Dipping headlights benefit- the driver of a car to which they are fitted just as much as they benefit other road users. In cases where existing lamps cannot be converted, it is generally possible for alternative schemes to be adopted, in reference to which, however, it is a wise policy to consult electrical experts.

But when everything has been done to increase the car’s factor of safety, accidents are still liable to happen, ' which may be due to no fault of the driver’s, but to the indiscretions or mistakes of others. The wise motorist covers himself against this risk by insurance, in which connection there is a variety of cover offering.