Fewer Casualties to Children in 1956
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A STATISTICAL analysis of road 1-1 accidents in 1956 in the Metropolitan Police District, published by Scotland Yard, reveals that there were 54,163 casualties last year-379 fewer than in 1955. Casualties to drivers increased by 570. Those to children under 15 fell by 474, possiblybecause of the " Mind that Child" campaign.
Altogether 71,168 vehicles were involved in accidents which resulted in death or injury. The number of heavy goods vehicles concerned last year was 11.8 per cent, higher than in 1955. The number of light goods vehicles involved fell by 0.6 per cent.
Out of a total of 11,710 vehicles, 2,102 light and 221 heavy goods vehicles were involved in collisions with pedestrians. Private cars accounted for 5.352 collisions with pedestrians.
Cycles and light goods vehicles were among the most frequent pairs of vehicles in collision.
Crossing without sufficient care at road junctions caused 17.6 per cent, of the accidents among goods vehicles.
The main defects in goods vehicles were overloading and had loading (28.5 per cent.), lack of rear fights (20 per cent.), and poor brakes (13.8 per cent.).
RADAR SPEED TESTER FALLIBLE—ENGINEER
THE radar speedmeter, which is being used by Lancashire Police to detect speeding offences (The Commercial Motor last week) is liable to error, according tothe Automobile Association's chief engineer, Mr. J. R. Kinsey. His tests show that the device is open to a number of influencing factors beyond the ciintrol of the operators.
"The range of the speedmeter is limited to About 170 ft., which Means that a vehicle" traVelling at 40 M.p.h. may be in the effective part of the beam for only seven secoqds," he says in his report. "Besides the. risk of variation due to faulty or damaged, components, ambient temperature.,can also-affect the accuracy of __the reading. .,-Variations in the voltage of ;the battery can result in a 6 m.p.h. error in certain circumstances." _ Headds that the manufacturers' claim of a 2 m.p.h.' degree of accuracy relates to the most favourable conditions.
18 IN YORKSHIRE TO APPLY
EIGHTEEN Yorkshire bus operators were to apply to increase fares or reduce services as a direct result of the I Is. award to bus crews, Maj. F. S. Eastwood, chairman of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, announced in Leeds on Tuesday. They comprised four municipal transport undertakings. 11 large companies and . three small companies.
Leeds Transport Committee will meet next Wednesday to consider an application for a further increase in fares to cover new wage costs of £88,000 a year.