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Jets Shatter Bus Windscreen
MANY theories have been advanced as to the reasons I" why toughened-glass windscreens sometimes shatter for no apparent cause. Some drivers have suspected slugs from air guns, others sharp stones flung from the rear wheels of other vehicles, whilst certain instances of this nature have been experienced near a, jet-engine testing establishment.
A recent incident which occurred to a single-deck bus near Driffield (East Yorkshire) appears to corroborate the view that air vibration from jet engines may be a direct cause of the trouble. The vehicle, on an East Yorkshire Motor Services' Leeds-Bridlington run, was travelling alongside the R.A.F. Driffield Airfield when two delta-wing jets came straight towards it. According to the driver the noise was terrific and a second or so later there was quite an explosion as the windscreen on the near side disintegrated. The road surface was said to be perfect and there was no other traffic about.
The conductor described the noise as "absolutely deafening," and remarked that he and the passengers had a draughty and cold ride to Bridlington, but they bunched together at the rear of the bus to make the best of things.
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No Siding—Even at Gamages
MANY amusing incidents occur in public conveyances, some connected with the people often referred to as
• " country cousins." A few days ago an old couple, obviously "up for the sales," and possibly friends of Norman Letts, were told by the conductor that they had reached their destination. The wife, looking quite startled, said: "But we wanted to get to Gamages, don't you go into it?"
Presumably, she thought that such a big and well-known store must possess something like an internal bus station. The conductor was at first too surprised to reply, and later could ejaculate only: "What next! "
Fighting the Fuel Tax
REFERRING to the increasing chorus of objections to the fuel tax, Mr. Frank Coyle is not the only prominent member of the Transport and General Workers Union who is up in arms against it. Mr. Frank Cousins himself is another. When he was interviewed recently on B.B.C. television Mr. Cousins stated that the 2s. 6d. tax was one of the most important factors in promoting difficulties in
the path of the operators of road passenger transport. He implied that not only would its removal help considerably in preventing further rises in fares, but it would also aid bus personnel to achieve improvements in their working conditions without inflicting more burdens upon the public. It is certain that this unduly heavy impost is also reflected strongly in the cost of living, for the great majority of the commodities of this country, including manufactured articles, agricultural produce and raw materials, as well as the immense quantities which are imported, are carried at some time by road. Any reduction in the tax should therefore have an almost immediate reaction in the way of reduced prices.
Helping Overseas Trade
Vwas pleasant to learn from the recent Honours List that r. Ian Henderson, C.M.G., our ambassador to Panama, had been awarded the K.B.E.
Not long ago Baron Beck, of Slip Products, Ltd., who had just returned from an extensive tour of South America, expressed his appreciation of the great assistance which had been afforded him by Britain's embass.y officials in various countries, referring in particular to Mr. Henderson. It is to be hoped that such treatment is general, because our trade representatives, upon whom so much of our export depends, can do with all the advice and introductions which it is possible to give them.
Bus Drivers Training Child Cyclists
THE efficient training of the young in cycling is one of A the most important factors in the reduction of road accidents. Children wobbling about the road, failing to give proper signals, or following sudden impulses to make unexpected moves, may cause serious accidents, even if they personally are not injured. To help in avoiding any such occurrences, a number of Midland Red drivers based at Worcester has for two years devoted much spare time to training school children for their cycling proficiency certificates at schools in the city.
Recently, the company received from the Worcester Town Clerk a handsome tribute to the services of these men, and the suggestion that this voluntary work could usefully be extended. He pointed out that last year three courses were completed and a total of 218 children in seven schools had received training. He added that if there were any more of their drivers who could similarly assist, their services could be readily used where the demand for training was greater than could be met at present. There was still a waiting period before a school could be included in a course.
The possibility of extending this voluntary service in the interest of road, safety is being examined. The men concerned obtain much satisfaction from the assistance they Itive and the children appreciate receiving instruction from those whom they naturally regard as experts on the subject.