Safety is Publicity
Page 59
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John Labatt, Ltd., allow the public to use this mobile test centre for drivers. The semi-trailer is 45 ft long.
INITIALLY intended to he solely a .I. contribution towards improving road safety, two articulated vehicles which John Labatt, Ltd., brewers, Londnn, Ontario, Canada, have equipped with test apparatus by means of which members of the public can assess their driving ability, have proved to gain much valuable publicity for the concern.
Four years ago, the company sent their transport superintendent to Detroit to take a course on driver selection. When he returned, various items of test apparatus were purchased from the U.S.A. and installed in the main garage. There was a subsequent improvement in the standard of Labatt's drivers.
Various road safety authorities became interested in the scheme, and the apparatus was exhibited in Toronto. It was next decided to install the equipment in a 45-ft.-long semi-trailer which, towed by a White tractor, has since toured the Dominion, attending fairs and similar events, giving tests to 75,000 people. A second articulated outfit has been equipped for similar duties.
The first test is of eyesight and the ability to judge distances. A small device is used to measure the strength of a person's grip. It is considered that a grip of 50 lb. is the minimum necessary to keep control of a vehicle in the event of a tyre blow-out, for example. Further optical tests concern ability to see in darkness or in the face of glare, and colour-blindness. Then there is a reaction-Lime test, and another for muscular steadiness.
The company have found themselves increasingly involved in road-safety matters since promoting the use of the vehicles, having underwritten a driving course at Toronto University. Their fleet maintenance superintendent has been busy for a year advising schools throughout Canada on giving driving lessons to their older pupils.