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In Your Opinion

15th July 1966, Page 50
15th July 1966
Page 50
Page 50, 15th July 1966 — In Your Opinion
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Solving the Jack-knife Problem PERHAPS YOUR readers may be interested in my comments on the jack-knifing problem recently featured in these columns. I have driven an artic for several years and consider that primarily uneven braking and bad weight distribution, which are matters for the engineers, are the main factors involved. Then there is bad driving and inexperience.

Vehicle operators should ensure that as far as possible drivers should evenly distribute their load. Furthermore, the lower and longer the trailer and the heavier the tractor, the less tendency there is to jack-knife. Some short trailers with high platforms are notorious "waltzers".

It is significant that many accidents concerning artics take place at roundabouts, bends and hills. Here the driver is often at fault through uncontrolled approach (fast speed) necessitating fierce braking or crash stopping, and fold up or over-steer starts. This is because of the tendency to push the tractor instead of the tractor pulling the trailer.

Up to a point the tendency to jack-knife, once produced, can be corrected. Some drivers, confronted with this problem, brake even harder and disaster occurs. I have found that a steady throttle can often correct a jack-knife, provided there is enough road ahead.

Some years ago, during a bad winter, I came over the brow of a hill, struck an icy surface and promptly waltzed down the hill, not touching my brakes, finally halting the vehicle by picking up sufficient traction on the nearside grass verge. Fortunately, the road was almost clear, but 1 dread to think what would have happened had it been busy. There is, however, a "point of no return" with all jack-knifing. Once passed, no matter what the driver does, it is irretrievable. Personally, I have no experience with anti-jack-knifing devices, but last year I was following a driver who had one fitted to his vehicle and he glided into a ditch at the first icy patch he encountered. I must add that he slid straight and did not jack-knife.

I believe that the whole problem can be resolved through the co-operation of vehicle manufacturers and operators.

M. FOGARTY, Woodley, Reading.

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Locations: Reading

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