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T.R.T.A. WANTS BRAKE FAILURE DETAILS
Page 44
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GRAVE concern has been expressed by members of the Traders Road Transport Association vehicles committee at a meeting when the subject of vehicle maintenance was linked to brake failures in road accidents.
The committee decided that in the absence of evidence being made public after a road accident, there was need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and, in the case of proved brake failure, to discover why the brakes failed. Only then would it be possible to decide whether the right remedial action lay in the direction of maintenance, driver education or fundamental design. The T.R.T.A. is urging the Ministry of Transport to provide more detailed information on the factors involved in various accidents.
Regarding electrical equipment, the committee was investigating complaints of widespread failures of electrical gear on vehicles preparatory to making further representations to the S.M.M.T.
Consideration was given to the kind of advice which should be offered to T.R.T.A, members in the light of fuel frauds—a problem which was highlighted by recent incidents in the Midlands. where 500 drivers were accused of being involved in fraudulent conversions. Underlining the need for detailed inspection of fuel sales-records, the committee stressed the importance of checking records for inconsistency in consumption. A further safeguard suggested was the possibility of fitting larger fuel tanks to vehicles to avoid the need for refuelling away from base. Where vehicles were normally laden to full capacity the advantages would have to be weighed against the reduced payload.
Finalizing its arrangements for the supply of T.R.T.A. vehicles to the Road Research Laboratory for brake testing at its track in Crowthorne, Berkshire, the committee expressed satisfaction with the ready co-operation shown by members in providing vehicles.