DANGERS ON ROAD

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1935, Page 6

DANGERS ON ROAD

TESTING OF BRAKES AND LIGHTS. 70 PER CENT. FOUND DEFECTIVE. The seriousness of the position arising from defective brakes on motor vehicles was disclosed in a report received from the Commissioner of Transport by the Eltham County Council on Saturday. The returns from 191 garages, the report stated, showed that 20,037 motorcars and 2386 commercial vehicles were examined and that of these 14,284 cars and 1732 commercial vehicles had defective brakes. That meant that 71 per cent, of the vehicles were found to have brakes that did not comply with the regulations. The returns from traffic officers showed that 38,210 vehicles were stopped and 24,343 carried certificates from garages. Of the 15,149 vehicles tested on the road 38 per cent, were found to be defective. In the returns from the same garages in'regard to lights 17,129 motor-cars and 2052 commercial vehicles were examined, 12,006 of the former and 1477 of the latter being found to require attention. This number represented 70 per cent, of the total. “All these figures indicate, that the roads are definitely safer as a result of the check and that the importance of adequate brakes and suitable lights cannot be too strongly stressed,” said the report. “Defective vehicles are at all times a source of danger to other users of the road and it is suggested that traffic officers should check brakes and lights in all doubtful cases. It has been clearly indicated that these two items require constant supervision and if all doubtful vehicles are put through a test other drivers will be reminded of their obligations.” Dealing with the tests made last year, the report stated: “It was remarkable the response made by motorists, and the examinations speak for themselves of the necessity for the action taken. As a method of impressing on the motorist his individual responsibility in regard to the fitness of his vehicle the check was invaluable. Reports from traffic officers indicated that almost invariably motorists were desirous of complying with all, reasonable requests for safety on the road. As soon as they were aware of their responsibilities thousands of motorists on their own initiative had their brakes and lights adjusted at their own garages.” Cr. Knuckey said he believed the testing of brakes and lights to. be a good thing. It had rectified'many faults and removed many dangers. The chairman, Cr. A. L. Campbell, considered it would be necessary to have the testing done frequently to be fully effective and he wondered how many times a year it would have to be done.