MOTORING NOTES

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3482, 21 June 1934, Page 7

MOTORING NOTES

DRIVERS' LICENSES

PROPOSED NEW REGULTAIONS. Proposed amendments to the heavy motor-vehicle regulations are outlined in a circular sent by the Transport Department to local authorities. Comment is invited from these bodies as to their views on the desirability or otherwise of the suggested new regulations. It is proposed to exempt fire engines, fire pumps, and motor turntable escape ladders from the operations of the regulations. Amendments in the regulations concerning trailers are suggested It is proposed that in the case of a heavy motorvehicle and trailer attached, where the load is common, the combination shall be regarded as one multi-axled vehicle for the purpose of its table of load limits.

As a result of the increased use of- trailers, the number of accidents in which these vehicles are involved is increasing, and it is suggested that the stopping ability of foot and hand brakes should refer to vehicles with trailers attached. Where a private car is drawing a caravan the stopping ability of the foot brake of the car, when the caravan is attached, should be equivalent to 40 feet. The need for attachments between vehicle and trailer, that will ensure that the trailer shall track the main vehicle and also provide an additional safety attachment for operation in the case of breakage of the main attachment, is also suggested by the department. The department has framed proposals for amending the motor drivers' regulations to divide trade motors into two classes, those plying for hire and private trade motors, and to provide that the conditions applicable to the issue of drivers' licenses for public motor-cars shall apply to public trade motors. A provision is suggested for notification of change of address in the case of the holders of drivers' licenses for public motor cars and public trade motors. In connection with the renewal of drivers' licenses and the question of obviating the necessity for applicants appearing personally when applying for such renewal, it has been suggested that the regulations should provide for the completion of application forms for renewal by the licensees, and the delivery of same by post, or else by an agent who would obtain the licenses for delivery to his principals. A COMMON DILEMMA. If the horn is sounded a man in the road is disconcerted, and if it is not and there is an accident the authorities may say that the motorist was driving dangerously, pointed out a dilemma of which many drivers are painfully aware. The question he has raised is one of importance. There are undoubtedly many occasions when an experienced driver realises it is safer not to sound the horn. Courts are very apt to draw incorrect assumptions from a negative answer to the question, "did you hoot?" It is only a very knowledgable Bench that is able to weigh the argument that to hoot would have been dangerous at its proper value. It frequently happens, of course, in a really serious difficulty, that the driver has no time to press the horn button. As a broad rule, when a pedestrian crosses the road in front unexpectedly, it is wise to hoot. The case in which to refrain from horn-sounding is when the pedestrian is fairly far across the road with his back to the car and it is proposed to pass between him and the kerb he has left. This is decided by the fact that a sudden horn blast usually causes people to start backwards. There are, it must be emphasised, innumerable exceptions to every rule such as this. CARE IN ACCELERATION. Unskilled operation of the accelerator may be the cause of many car troubles. Abrupt acceleration, especially from low speeds, must be condemned because of the strains which are inflicted on the engine and transmission, and if it should be necessary to accelerate suddenly to a fast speed it is best to engage an an intermediate gear before calling upon the engine for its full power. Some drivers also make the mistake of accelerating needlessly, with a result that fuel is wasted, and often it is necessary to bring the brakes into action to check the speed of the car. The motorists who obtain good petrol mileages from their cars are generally those who avoid sudden bursts of speed, but maintain an even pace. It is seldom that one is justified in using full throttle, for if the car will not climb a hill or pick up in top gear unless the accelerator pedal is fully depressed a lower gear should be meshed. The accelerator should not be compared with an electrical control like that used on tramcars, in which sped is increased by a quick switching from one contact to another, but it should be looked upon rather as a valve to be opened or closed steadily so that smooth and even variations of power are obtained.