A Warning to Motorists

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 129, 5 November 1930, Page 7

A Warning to Motorists

RISK OF DEADLY GAS

DRIVER RELATES EXPERIENCE

Most people are aware that the deadly carbon monoxide gas which accumulates when a motor-car engine is allowed to run in a closed motor garage can have a very serious effect on those inhaling it, but is is not so generally known that vapour escaping into a closed car can render a driver so incapable that he is liable to lose proper control of the vehicle.

A case of almost total incapacity as a result of gas poisoning while at the wheel of a car was reported. The Victim in this case was Mr. F. W. Hartley, of Auckland, whose daily occupation keeps him on the road in his car many hours every day. In explaining his experience, Mr. Hartley was able to describe the symptoms and in doing so said his only desire in reporting the matter was in order that others might be aware of the danger. More than 18 months ago, he said, he began to experience headaches, an ailment from which he had never previously suffered, and attributed them to eye strain from the glare of the road. Eyeglasses failed to correct the fault. Several weeks ago, after a long run to the outer suburbs, he felt himself losing control of the car, and by the time he brought the vehicle to a standstill he was in a semi-conscious state almost akin to advanced intoxication. He subsequently found that the induction pipe from the engine had been broken, allowing exhaust fumes to enter the body of the closed car.

For the following two weeks Mr. Hartley was seriously ill from the effects of poison, and he is convinced that had it not been for the fact that he had been getting doses of poison regularly for some time, so that his

system was permeated with it, he would not have survived this more serious attack.

The poisoning starts with a dryness in the throat, following by a pain at the back of the eyes, the pain, in the form of a trying headache, passing across the crown of the head,” said Mr. Hartley. “The pain extends to the back of the head, where it is very acute in its severe form. The poisoning affects the memory, and creates a nervous condition which has all the outer semblance of intoxication. I feel that more motorists should be warned to recognise these symptoms, as such a state on the part of a driver can easily lead to accident. In such circumstances a motorist involved in a smash and suspected of being under the influence of liquor w-ould fare badly.”