OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.
Page 28
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors Letters should be on one side of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for
views expressed is accepted.
Taxation on Reserve Vehicles.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1812] Sir,—Your leading article on the above subject in the issue of January 11th should receive the attention of haulage contractors ,especially. Theahaulier who runs several types of vehicle such as light vans, chare-a-bancs, and steam wagons is almost compelled to keep a spare in each class, particularly if engaged on contract work.
He may have to carry out lengthy repairs to a wagon on which the tax has been paid and then pay again for his spare or he may have to pay for a spare which he never takes out. In any case, he has his spare wagons-on his hands. He cannot sell them, forswho will buy ?
Could not the authorities issue a type of trade number tote used only on the spare vehicle 1 This would show the number of vehicles on the road, and it could be made a rule. that the police must be informed when the vehicle is being used.
It is true that the trade number might be abused by a few, as there are always those who abuse any privilege, but, if the abuse involved the lossIof such trade number and a heavy enough fine, I think this could be overcome.
It would be interesting to hear your readers' views. —Yours faithfully,
p.p. THE EAST CHESHIRE TRANSPORT CO. ANGUS GREG.
Motor Drivers' Licences.
The Editor, THE, COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1813] Sir,—It is the unanimous view of the Motor Legislation Committee that tests for drivers would be costly, vexatious, and ineffective. The public have not asked for theirs; to the motoring community they are anathema; and the only people who favour them, apparently, are a few police and other officials desirous of creating another " grandiose " department with an army of doctors, eye specialists, and mechanical experts, who would draw fat salaries for services which would scarcely ever result in the prevention of accidents.
It is a. favourite delusion amongst a certain section of the community that accidents are caused by blind and armless men with no experience, who drive highpowered cars at furious speeds along the most congested of our thoroughfares. The fact is that physical disability or incompetent driving is rarely the cause of accident. Avoidable accidents are sometimes caused through over confident or reckless drivers taking their cars at too fast, and too careless, a speed along inadequate and unsuitable roads. Accidents also occur because the public often persist in ignoring the presence of traffic, or refuse to cooperate with drivers in the interests of their mutual safety.
The law will deal with the reckless driver, and the public would benefit from a, course of" Safety First" principle's, but no medical or mechanical test could reduce by an appreciable fraction the number of accidents that take pla.ce under modern conditions of road traffic. There is no evidence to show that the drivers of hackney vehicles, who are subjected to a test of sorts, are more careful than the untested drivers of private vehicles. Without casting an unfair reflection upon the former, the available evidence, and certainly the general experience, is rather the other way about.
No owner is likely to imperil his own life or the safety of his, property by employing an incompetent driver, and in. this fact lies the best safeguard the
B24 public can have: Even assuming that every motorist is the inconsiderate—almost inhuman—person-certain people picture him, he is not such an idiot as deliberately to impesil his own life and possessions for the fun of running down the public.
My Committee are glad to think that in this matter, at any rate, the whole motoring community, as represented by their organizations, are opposed to any scheme of tests that may be the subject of official consideration. The principal causes of road accident will be removed when the roads are made adequate, sand therefore safe, for modern traffic. If the Ministry of Transport will get on with this task they will render a far greater public, service than would be secured by the creation of a vast system of inspection and examination at an enormous cost. Indeed, such. a system,. after our experience of bureaucratic "controls," and in viewlaf the national outcry far State. economy, is unthinkable in these days.—Yours faithfully,
. W. JOYNSON-EICKS,
Chairman, Motor Legislation Committee.
Steamer v. Petrol Wagon.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1814] Sir —I read the article on this subject in your issue of January 25th, and also reply, No. 1,805, of February 8th, 1921. I have been connected with Alley and Maclellan's productions for years and also have a substantial experience of petrol vehicles. I must admit that the steamer is a cheaper method of carrying goods of heavy weights, but, to beat the modern petrol vehicle on time in a long run, is asking me to believe too much. For instance, a four-tan up-tosdate petrol wagon, fully loaded, will arrive at . its journey's end sooner than a six-ton steamer with only four-ton load, over an equal distance for both vehicles. I have, made this test myself and have verified the claim.
I agree the Sentinel is a good vehicle, but some " spirit " wagons are even better for purposes of quick delivery. I can give details of runs from Manchester -to Birmingham and back with both classes of vehicle, and also from the latter place to Huddersfield, Coventry, Liverpool, and other places, which would support my contention.
Perhaps other people have had similar experiences to mine and will help to stop the serviceable petrol vehicle from being relegated to the ditch!—Yours faithfully, Oldham. Oldham.
STEAMPET.
h
Lorries for Workmen's Outings.
• The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1815] Sir,—I shall be glad to know what is likely to be the practice this year in regard to this question.
The workpeople in the employ of my firm contemplate holding an outing this year. Last year our employers very kindly allowed us free use of two of our removal lorries, which we adapted with seating accommodation. We want to know how the new Act will affect us with regard to the use of these vehicles, that is to say, providing the firm grants us the use of them. We do not pay anything .whatever for the use of the vehicles, neither do we charge any one of the employees any fare in respect or the trip. There will no doubt be many groups of employees similarly situated, and we should like to know our legal position.—Yours faithfully, J. S. Sussex.
[We are dealing with this matter in our editorial pages.—En. CAL]