More Ideas to Reduce Accidents
Page 55
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AS a regular reader of your journal, I have followed with interest the letters on road safety which you have published recently: I am in full agreement with the comments and suggestions made, but in my opinion much more drastic action will have to be taken before all road users realize the urgency of the position. As regards one of the causes of accidents—driving under the influence of alcohol—as a result of the remarks of a judge, the punishment seems now to be more in keeping with the offence, and I believe that such cases are showing a decline. If similar measures were to be taken in connection with all other causes, much of this " I don't.eare " attitude would also lessen.
I have in mind an example of a terrible accident caused by a car driver failing to stop at a halt sign; as a result several people were killed. The next day,
I read of a court case in which a driver who failed to comply with such a sign was fined fl. I am not trying to tell the judiciary their job, but in comparing the two cases it is obvious to me that the small fine was not in keeping with the danger. involved.
In another instance, a young couple were killed on their wedding day through a head-on collision with a lorry. This had suddenly swung out to avoid hitting a cyclist who had no tail light on tis.machine. The lorry driver could not see the cycle until the last minute. The cyclist was fined 12s. 6d. for the offence, yet he was the direct cause of the accident. Many such cases are happening throughout the country every day, and until the punishment fits the crime, they, will continue.
Motor-vehicle parks should be free and their use made compulsory, so that through-roads in cities, towns and even villages could be kept free from obstruction, thus avoiding the irritation and impatience which make drivers more prone to accidents. It should be made' an offence to park within at least 10 yards of a bus stop, the restricted area being marked with white lines. This would enable bus drivers to bring their vehicles close to the kerb, whereas more Often than not they have to stop almost in the middle of the road to set down or pick up passengers, Despite notices in some places "No waiting this side to-day," vehicles continue to park there, and stronger action should be taken. Such action should also apply to vehicles, and there are many, which are not displaying a red tail light; on some, the lamps have been painted, but the paint has worn off. Others have rags tied on, in any case such lamps should not be less than n ins, in diameter.
The managements of all coach, bus and transport companies should award no-accident bonuses to their drivers. Years ago, when this method was introduced, it was found that much more care was exercised.
Winchcombe, Glos. W. MORRIS.
NO ACCIDENTS FOR 'A YEAR
THE article concerning the methods adopted by Don Everall, Ltd., in' their successful efforts to reduce accidents, which was published in your issue dated February 15, was interesting. 1 feel, however, that this company is not alone in this endeavour, for I can point to 100 per cent. freedom from accident in a C-licensed fleet, of which! am the manager One of the first things I did when I was appointed transport manager early last year, was to institute a
scheme whereby each driver carries a form on which are numerous questions which he has to answer in the event of an accident. These must be filled in even if the vehicle in his care is only scratched.
After reading a report, I interview the driver concerned and he receives a lecture on road safety, although he may, not be the person directly responsible. My idea is to bring home the seriousness of accidents.
On the other hand, drivers are rewarded for successful efforts to avoid such trouble by receiving an annual bonus. All our drivers who serve for the full period will receive awards for the past year. The vehicles cover a considerable distance daily over a wide area of East Anglia and I believe this to be an excellent record, equal to the best.
Great Yarmouth. D. FEARNeEv,
Transport Manager. (For W. Purdy, Ltd.) QUOTING FOR MUNICIPAL HIRE
D EGARDING the figures given by S.T.R. in connection with the problem of quoting for municipal
hire, in your issue dated February 29, I would offer the following cornroents:- (1) I feel that he is over optimistic in concluding that a vehicle can work for a full 50 weeks in a year.
Unless the operator can employ. spare drivers, which means additional overheads, or has men willing to
accept payment in lieu of holidays, the year will break down into 48 active working weeks, for two are occupied by the normal holiday, the equivalent of one for Christmas Day, Good Friday and the bank holi days, and one for repairs.
I maintain that, apart from the first year of a
'vehicle's life, the owner who misses only one week for repairs is fortunate. In anycase, there are weather hazards, such as frost and fog, which may cause temporary disturbances in the earning powers of a vehicle.
(2) My second criticism is that no allowance appears to have been made, either for the extra outlay on, or for the maintenance of, the tipping-rnechanism.
Incidentally, the use of tipping gear often results in higher body repairs, particularly with rear panels, etc.
(3) Municipal work is usualfy. . by tender, and often
supplementary to that peiformed by the vehicles owned by a municipality. Therefore it is frequently inter mittent work on a day-to-day basis.
S-.` Moss, Joint Secretary. (For the Amalgamated' Horse and
Motor Owners', Association, Ltd.)
Manchester, 8.
[Taking the points in the order in which you raise them: (1) There is provision in the item " Wages" for two weeks' holiday with pay. That disposes of the provision that you suggest 'should be made for the annual holiday, and gives me back my two weeks to add to your 48 weeks, making 50 in all. (2) The article in question referred to sided lorries and not to tipping vehicles, which, as you will now appreciate, are dealt with in a supplementary article. (3) 1 appreciate the point you make here, and have on other occasions drawn attention to it. It is usually the case that the work available is irregular, but the assumption is made that the operator has other
work for his vehicle • which it be set to do when it is not engaged by the municipality.—S. T. R.]