!RETARDER AWARENESS • Referring to the memoirs of "grizzled ex-CM
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tester", (CM 26 October-1 November), it does not seem wholly appropriate to describe the operators of some 500,000 Telma retarders over the years as "gullible".
There are certainly a great number of heavy goods vehicles in the UK without retarders, perhaps because a lack of awareness of the benefits in safety and economy.
How many drivers remember that smell of hot or burning linings? How many drivers remember that "near miss"? How many workshop managers and operators would be delighted to increase the service lives of their brakes by a factor of up to six or seven times?
The development of trailer retardation systems some 30 years ago is just one example of Telma's total commitment to making vehicles safer and more economical to operate. The company has a constant pro'gramme of research both independently and in conjunction with major European manufacturers to further enhance performance, safety and economy.
While many in the UK recognise Telma Retarders as a minibus or coach retarder, more and more are realising the safety and economic benefits of fitting such equipment on commercial vehicles. Indeed, in Europe as a whole, approximately two-thirds of Telma installations are on heavy goods vehicles.
Perhaps the greater awareness of retarders is due to the increasing levels of international haulage; many operators now see their Continental cousins enjoying the benefits of Telma equipment. Who are the gullible ones today?
Robin Gregg, General Manager, Telma Retarders, Milton Keynes, Bucks.