LOOSE METAL ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 12

LOOSE METAL ROADS.

Sir, —I have been driving motor-cars for several years and have never had any accidents, but to say, as "Frank T." does, that drivers who have their cars skid are incompetent is not by any means right. I am of opinion thai it is highly dangerous. Another aspect is, Docs it pay ? I have seen a newly-metalled road that, bad two ditches cut along the wheel tracks down to the old corrugated road below in a little over a week. I would suggest the use of ryolite rock pumice, etc., which binds well and makes a good even surface. Boads of this class can be seen in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty counties, where it answers well and is remarkably free from corrugations. Moxokist.

Sir,-—I entirely agree with the view expressed by "Frank T." on this subject. I am certain that practically all the accidents on loose metal are caused by careless driving. 1 agree that a heavy car holds the road better than a light one, therefore it is obviously careless driving on the part of the light-car driver if he attempts the same speed on a loose surface. If a skid occurs with an experienced driver, he is not taken unawares, as lie is invariably conscious of it before the start, and can correct it when it does occur. I consider that loose metal is used as an excuse to cover the inexperience of the driver in most cases. Surely a person who drives at a speed in excess of that at which he can control his car or correct skid is driving recklessly. 1 may state that I do not drive a service car, but have had experience in driving both light and heavy cars, and have never considered the loose metal as dangerous. Certainly, it is not as dangerous as some of the drivers one meets on it. F. Tonar.