Road Flares for Breakdowns
Page 32
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THE recent coach accident on the Great West Road, Hounslow, as a result of which a lorry driver's mate was killed, as Were some of the occupants of the coach, whilst others were injured, draws attention to certain dangers which may be incurred when vehicles are halted at the roadside at night. • At the time of writing, the exact cause had not been officially 'determined, but it appears that there was some trouble with the lighting of the lorry and that the driver and his mate were at the rear of the vehicle, seemingly• attending to this. It was raining heavily at the time of the occurrence and despite what is normally considered to be good lighting on that highway, the visibility from the coach may not have been as satisfactory as would normally be the case.
Incidents of this nature have occurred previously as a result of the rear light being obscured by some person. When two lights and reflectors become the legal requirement, this danger at least will be reduced. An unlit vehicle, or its equiva lent, on the road at night, particularly if it be stationary, is always a menace to other traffic unless the road be fairly brilliantly illuminated.
In America, this danger is fully recognized and drivers of commercial vehicles are usually required to carry independent lamps, commonly called flares, which can be placed on the road at a suitable distance from each end of the vehicle, if its lighting fails. In fact, they are often employed to warn other traffic a safe distance away when a vehicle is stopped through breakdown or the need for some adjustment, even where the lighting is not affected. It is advisable for such lamps to be of the battery type and drivers warned that there should be no delay in placing them.
The expense of providing one or, preferably, two lamps of this type for each vehicle should not be excessive and would be insignificant compared with the additional safety afforded. Whether it would be better to have flashing lights or continuous ones is a matter that could be decided by any authorities concerned with the matter.