Smooth Tyres

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6619, 4 August 1931, Page 2

Smooth Tyres

An important judgment by Judge Heydon, in an English county court, as of special interest to motorists, as it has a bearing upon the necessity of using motor tyres that have efficient treads. Tho case arose out of an accident in which a car skidded, causing a collision. The defence was that tho skid was unavoidable, but the judge held a definite opinion on tho subject, and stated that tho defence must satisfy him that no blame attached to the driver of the skidding car. The purpose of patterns on motor tires was to minimise or avoid skidding, which would be unavoidable with smooth tires. As the defendant was driving on tires that had worn smooth, which constituted a defect, the defence failed, and the plea that the accident was unavoidable was not. accepted. This decision is an important and farreaching one, and points to the danger of motorists using worn-out times, that constitute a risk when driving on slippery roads. Tires to-day give wonderful mileage before they wear to a dangerous condition ,and considering that they cost considerably less now than in pre-war days, there is no justification for taking undue risks iu this connection.