And now a standard cab?
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0 Should there be standardization in cab design? This was a question considered by the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers at its meeting in Chesterfield on Wednesday. Raised by CM's Ron Cater, it was put to representatives of vehicle and brake manufacturers and the SMMT.
A majority of members believed there was too much variance in cabin and ancillary equipment and this had been responsible for accidents. Mr. D.' J. Broom, of SMMT, told the meeting that the matter was already being considered by a working party which represented the USA, Europe and Britain and he asked the members what they had done, as transport men, to help solve their own problems.
The chairman Mr. H. Kenning, of Kenning Motor Group Ltd., said that the AIRSO would be prepared to give time and effort to this matter and it was agreed that the association should write to the SMMT asking for representation. The SMMT representative suggested that the measure of standardization which the association appearpd to be seeking would inhibit vehicle design.
Mr. T. Teer, Schweppes (Home) Ltd. said that the variation of control positions between different makes and in 'some cases between different models of the same make of vehicle caused confusion to drivers. Mr. Broom suggested that the operator should clearly specify his requirements. "If you don't get what you want, go elsewhere-, he advised.
Mr. T. H. Eagan, of Westinghouse CVB Ltd., . said he was sure that his company would welcome standardization of layout provided it was the joint product of manufacturers and operators. "We manufacture two or three types for every component we produce", he said and he pointed out that standardization would eliminate this.
Mr. K. Gilthrb, of Atkinson Vehicles Ltd., warned that in some cases standardization would inevitably halt development.