FROM HERE AND THERE

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 19

FROM HERE AND THERE

NEW REGULATIONS

Mr D. Solow, vzho organized the Noble Dog Foundation last year, has issued a statement calling the attention of motorists to a change in the motorvehicle law which, according to Commissioner Harnett, makes it a misdemeanour for any one who knowingly runs over a dog to leave the scene of the accident without reporting it, (says a writer in The New York Times). The former statute provided that “any person who, knowing that damage has been caused to a vehicle,” leaves the scene of an accident without stopping and reporting it is guilty of a misdemeanour but this year’s Legislature struck out the words “to a vehicle,” which, the Commissioner explained in a letter to Mr Solow, makes it obligatory for “any one operating a motor vehicle or motor cycle, knowing that damage has been caused to anything, whether it be an animal or property, to stop and exhibit his licence and give the facts contained thereon to the person sustaining the damage or to a police officer or, in lieu thereof, report it to the nearest police station.” The Commissioner added: “This makes ample provision for taking care of the laudable purposes behind the creation of the Noble Dog Foundation.”

It Can Be Done.

The announcement recently by First Deputy Police Commissioner Harold Fowler that motor-vehicle accidents in the city had been reduced by more than 31 per cent since the inauguration of the department’s systematic safety campaign in 1933 is fresh and encouraging evidence of the fact that continuous, discriminating effort, instead of sporadic and sensational drives, can diminish the number of persons killed and injured by motor cars, (writes James 0. Spearing in The New York Times). In the first half of 1936 traffic deaths were nearly 28 per cent fewer than in the same period of 1933 and injuries were more than 33 percent less. And, as Colonel Fowler pointed out, these reductions were accomplished despite a large increase in the number and use of motor vehicles in the last three years. And, of course, the Police Department’s safety campaign is still going on. There is no intention of burying it under a bed of laurel. There are still enough accidents to keep the police, the courts, the Motor Vehicle Bureau, the schools and all associated agencies busy for some years to come. There will always be enough until the American public learns how to drive intelligently.

Isle of Man Roads,

The sum of £112,627 was spent on improving the roads of the Isle of Man last year. This has just been announced in the Highway Board’s annual report, (comments an English motoring correspondent). Though this expenditure seems small compared with our own figures, it is an important one in relation to the island’s road mileage. The latest classification puts the total length of roads at approximately 386 miles. Of these, 82 odd miles are first class roads, 134 miles second class, and 168 miles third class. The large number of motorists who now tour the Island and those interested in the ’famous T.T. races will be interested in the road reconstruction and development that has taken place. Much has been done to make places of charm and interest easily accessible to the tourist. Mountain roads, hitherto very difficult, have, in a number of cases, been opened out and treacherous surfaces considerably improved. No less than 90 miles of road were tar sprayed last year alone. News of the reconstruction of Snae Fell and Barrule Shoulder, two mountain roads, is of particular interest to the tourist. Those intending to motor in the Isle of Man this year will discover new pleasures without risk of danger to their cars.

New A.A. Routes.

Members of the Automobile Association (England) who have recently applied for itineraries will have noticed that alterations have been made in the familiar route sheets. Two year’s work involving the printing of 12 million new sheets on 12 tons of paper has been necessary to bring about the numerous improvements from which tourists will benefit this summer. Over 8000 special sketch maps have been drawn and the series of town plans increased by 50 per cent. Intermediate mileages, which were formerly shown side by side with route directions, are now also indicated on the sketch map of the road being traversed. Specially equipped A.A. logging cars have covered more than 50,000 miles during the past eighteen months, whilst checking gradients, directions, road numbers and mileages. This has been made necessary by the large number of recent road improvements and the construction of new bypasses which have considerably altered some of our main highways in contour and direction. The new routes are now being issued at the rate of over 3000 miles a minute during each working day, by the Automobile Association’s home touring departments in London and the provinces.

New Moblioil Directory.

The 1936-37 edition of the Mobiloil directory of correct lubrication, can now be consulted at any garage or service station. The directory covers the complete lubrication of all models of the cars, trucks, buses, motor cycles and tractors produced since 1925. Diesel engines are also included. As well as the correct summer and winter recommendations for the engine, gear box and differential, the directory contains complete information about the aplication of lubricants, central chassis lubrication, universal joints, shock absorber systems, in fact, the lubrication of every part of all automotive units is completely covered. Another helpful article deals with the S.A.E. viscosity numbers which are often referred to in car makers’ manuals, and explains their meaning and limitations. The Mobiloil directory so familiar to all motorists and service station proprietors, is the professional advice of the Vacuum Automotive engineers in Great Britain, America, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries, and the company claim it is the most authoritive and complete guide published.

Road Safety.

“It is clear that any attempt at dealing with the question of road safety must embrace all kinds of traffic whether vehicular or pedestrian, and it is important that cyclists and pedestrians should know that they will now come within the scope of national regulations, a summary of which has been issued for comment by local bodies, says the latest safety messages of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) Inc. “Now is the time before the regulations are gazetted for cyclists and pedestrians to break off their careless or thoughtless habits. Bicycles must have a front light at night; there must

be a rear light or an approved red eflector; there must be a white surface on the rear mudguard; there must be a brake on the rea wheel capable of stopping on a grade of one in six, and there must be a warning device. Cyclists must obey the off-side rule, that is give way to traffic on the right at intersections; cyclists must not ride more than two abreast, and only in single file on bends. Riding on footpaths is prohibited. Pedestrians must keep to the footpath where on is available, or keep to the right of a roadway, that is facing oncomign traffic, where there are fifty yards or more of straight roadway. Persons boarding trams must wait on footpaths or safety zones until a tram stops, and persons aljghting from trams must make for the nearest footpath. The maximum fine for a pedestrian offence will be 5/-. Motorists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who cross a road at an authorized pedestrian crossing. Clearly enough those requirements of the law are aimed at the safety and protection of pedestrians and cyclists.”