WARNING DEVICES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6869, 26 March 1929, Page 4

WARNING DEVICES

Although every new car is provided with some form of audible warning device, the fitting supplied sometimes leaves much to be desired, while, with quite a number of cars the horn, although quite a good instrument in itself, is., not suitable for every purpose. It m?,y be either too loud for certain conditions, on, on the other hand, much to soft to be heard in the roar of traffic or at distant cross-roads. For this reason many owners will find the addition of a-second horn 'well -worth while. .It is not always appreciated that too loud a warning note can sometimes be ■ more dangerous than one which is too soft. More than one accident has been caused by a driver suddenly, sounding a strong electric hooter when, just about to overtake h cyclist, the sudden piercing note startling the rider and causing him to swerve. Probably nothinng would have happened in such a case had the warning note been soft and the rider, would likely have proceeded normally on his way as the car overtook him. On the other hand, a soft, or low-toned horn may be completely inaudible to the driver of a decrepit lorry, who, believing that nothing is about to overtake him, may pull out across' tne Toad in the path of the overtaking vehicle. Few horns are ideal in theso two extremes, and there is every cause, therefore, for the fitting of twb horns having widely different characteristics. An excellent combination is a medium-powered bulb horn, and a very loud electric warning device. The latter can bo reserved for occasions when a compelling signal is needed.