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Passing Comments

5th October 1934, Page 36
5th October 1934
Page 36
Page 37
Page 36, 5th October 1934 — Passing Comments
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

WITH the coming of the longer nights every operator has more concern for the efficiency of the lighting equipment of his vehicles. In that connection, we think that consideration may well be given to providing drivers with. electric torches, or even with oil lanterns, that can be used in emergencies. Some users already do this, and the pre

caution is a wise one. Even in these days of reliable lighting Sets failures are still possible—and an unlit vehicle is a serious danger nowadays, as several distressing accidents have proved. It is one, however, that can be quite easily avoided, and drivers should be given the means necessary for doing so.

NOT long ago we referred to the practice, which obtains in some large commercial fleets, of giving each vehicle its own nickname. We remarked that it probably tended to encourage smartness ; the human mind is such that a driver is likely to take more pride in a machine ilia t he knows as "Old Bill" than he would if he could only refer to it as "5697." Whilst a neat brass nameplate may be an ornament to a lorry, anything crude in the way of lettering is not, and we have lately noticed on the road quite a number of vehicles with names finished in anything but artistic style. Studs of some sort have been used most commonly, and in some cases the effect has been almost comic. SOME operators worry themselves unduly concern1,-)ing the new legislation and seem to imagine that the next hour will be their last in the business. In moments of stress, they usually turn to The Commercial Motor and pour out their troubles to us. It it not always easy to detach the salient points from the mass of forlorn, irrelevant detail, but, as a rule, we are able, in a few moments, to clear up our readers' difficulties and set them on the right track.

Aspart of its road-safety campaign, Watney, Combe, Reid and Co., Ltd., takes unusual precautions against overloading, fully realizing the effects of excessive weight on braking and steering efficiency. The lorry bodies are constructed to such dimensions that they will not accommodate excessive loads, whilst no tailboards are employed—an additional safeguard against this practice.

AST week must have created a record in rumours, for a variety of mistaken ideas was current concerning the keeping of records, drivers' hours, wages and other administrative matters. Some operators thought that the obligation of keeping records had been postponed until January 1, there was a minor panic in connection with the securing of forms, whilst at least one person believed that the drivers' hours regulations had been withdrawn. It was difficult to keep abreast of the flood of inquiries that poured in, by telephone and post, to The Commercial Motor office.

A S indicating the effect of a revival in the heavy 1—"industries upon road haulage, a remark by counsel at a recent appeal hearing is of interest. He stated that as a result of improved conditions in the steel trade, many new applications were being made for licences for large vehicles. Manufacturers of large machines thus benefit in their turn.

THE Blackpool illuminations gain greater propor

tions each year, and thousands of people, particularly from the Midlands and the North, visit the town every season to witness this fascinating spectacle. One of the best ways of seeing the illuminations— which cover over five miles of the sea front—is by coach, from which point of vantage an excellent view is obtained and the journey made in comfort. Progress is necessarily slow, which gives passengers time to study the many ingenious and amusing tableaux.

I T is evident that finality has by no means been reached in tyre design and construction, and we were interested to hear in conversation with Mr. E. B. Morgan, of the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., of the application of the small lowpressure tyre to a 'variety of purposes. The 7-in. Firestone tyre is notable in that it presents a flat surface to the road, and this feature is of particular value where low loading is required. Incidentally, these tyres are fitted to some new horse-drawn vehicles recently built by the Islington Borough Council for cleansing purposes.

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Organisations: Islington Borough Council
People: E. B. Morgan

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