RACING TO FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18346, 12 March 1923, Page 8

RACING TO FIRES.

BRIGADE MOTORS' SPEED.

THE RISK OF ACCIDENT.

The question of the speed of fire brigade motors was mentioned at tho conference of the Accident Assurance Society of the United Fire Brigades' Association. A delegate asked if a reply had been received in regard to a resolution passed at the lust conference that tho matter be brought before tho notice of the Municipal Conference. Captain T. J. Watts said that something would have to be done in tho matter, otherwise tho society would be called upon to pay a large sum some day for death or injury to firemen. He referred to a brigade in one of the largest centres which drove its motors at a reckless speed. A delegate said that the question of speed could be left to the direction of the driver. Ho maintained that the motor men could judge their speed according to tho traffic. "I would ride behind a machino travelling at 70 miles an hour," he said, "but unfortunately my machine can only do 40 miles." this delegate also maintained that the siren was a safety, as every person and all traffic quickly made a clear right-of-way. , Superintendent Follas maintained that it should be impressed upon the mind of the driver that the lives of the crew behind him were in his hands. After further discussion it was decided that tho remit passed at the 1921 conference be referred to the executive of the United Fire Brigades' Association, to bring it before the Municipal Conference for its consideration, and to define a speed limit for fire motors.