1930-06-26 — Page 11

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1930.

ROAD MAKING.

United States Methods Discussed.

THE CHINA MAIL.

SPOT-LIGHT ABUSE.

The Way of the

Road-Cad.

COUNTRY DRIVING.

Some Points to Remember.

S

SKIDDING.

Some Causes and Remedies.

pedal. The one happening which remains to ongender that helpless feeling is the unforeseen skid on a wet or greasy road.

There are in the United States, Those who drive much at night At all times of the year, many It is only on very rare occasiona to-day three million miles of rural must have noticed a new and ex- town motorists, both old hands and that the modern car gives its driver highways? Of these, less than one-tremely unpleasant manifestation of novices, come up against problems the feeling that it is really out of fifth, or only 18 per cent. of the the road-cad. Not content with which constantyl present them-control; luckily, mechanical break- whole, are surfaced. One of the making things by day as danger selves to all who leave the beaten ages are extremely rare, and the principal problems discussed in the ous as possible, he has discovered track and traverse the by-ways.brakes, If reasonably well looked conference on Highway Engineer: most effective, way of arousing Reference to some of them by a after will always respond to the ing, held at the University of the desire for murder in the heart regular country driver may not be Michigan in the spring of last year, | of "everyone. he meets at night, amiss (writes D.N.M. in the was how the remaining 82 per cent.writes John Prioleau in The Illus Autoear). could be improved, while still keep-trated London News. He uses his In the first place, when you leave ing in good condition that which had spot-light as a weapon of intoleran arterial or other main road for There are still many drivers who already been constructed.

able offence. On meeting a car the lanes, don't believe that you have do not fully understand how readily Obviously, the kind of surfacing, with head-lights which cannot be left every other car in the country a skid will commence, and how dif- and also the alignment, the grade, either dimmed or dipped, he turns behind you. It is quite possible to [ficult it is to check when anything and even the bridge and drainage a blaze of scorching light on to it, run several miles without meeting causes a slippery surface on the works, may be modified on light-us much to say, "Take that?" anything; on the other hand, it is rand. The co-efficient of friction, traffic roads to reduce the cost in Time and again I have met the infrequent occurrence to meet as it is called-a term which simply keeping with the service necessary brute, his own lamps dipped as they at any blind corner some butcher's means the rafto between the force and the needs of roads carrying should be, but with that blinding van going full peit.

necessary to cause skidding and the heavier traffic. · The same standards swivelled light focussed atraight Constant vigilance is essential to weight of the car-is about 0.8 on as to maximum grudes, minimum into my eyes, and sometimes even safety in the lanes, but there are a dry rond, whereas with a slippery radii on curves, minimum width of flickering, which is the last pos-¡certain signs for the observant that surface it may easily be reduced to roadway, and design and depth of sible offence. It never seems to help somewhat in anticipating what one quarter this value Conse. imetal, should not apply to routes occur to him that a man with fixed is round the corners. If you are quently, only a very amali disturb. that proper investigation shows will lamps, without a dimming switch, driving towards the sinking sun, Ing force is required to upset the carry widdy varying amounts of is unable to help himself except by approaching a sharp corner where stability of a car running on a traflic.

blacking out, and that is the most the road is in sunlight, a vehicle, slippery surface, and once a skid has There are 23,600,000 motor dangerous thing one can do on the approuching from the opposite been initiated in such circum- vehicles in the United States, the roads to-day. His idea is to force direction throws a shadow, which stances, its correction will be found radius of travel of which is yearly the other man to switch off alte- you will almost certainly see a frac to be almost impossible. increasing. More than 90 per cent.gether, regardless of the consetion of a minute before you frat of these are motor cars and light quences. It is the act of a thorough sight the vehicle itself. That frac lorries and vans, and nearly all ofly selfish road-hog of the kind which tion of time is often the latter, as well as the motor cars, the new Motor Act, it is devoutly valuable. are equipped with pneumatic tyres, to be hoped, will help to put off the The demand for light, fast-moving roads altogether. lorries is Increasing. Traffic sur- veys have shown that heavy lorries work near the centres of popula tion, and that truffle of more than 1,500 vehicles a day is found near these centres.

Several States have protected, by legislation, gravel and similar types

The Law's Sensible Eye. The use of the spot-light is still illegal, but, as its advantages are

extremely

On a thoroughly wet road rubber tyres obtain a good grip, but beware of the surface which has only just become wetted from a shower fol Then it is worth while taking lowing, a dry spell. The water notice of birds in the road at aharp mixes with the accumulations of bends; they are often nearly as dust to form a greasy paste which useful as mirrors to those who make tenaciously maintains a film be- a habit of studying their movements. tween the tyres and the road sur-

form a film between the two parts af a bearing. After heavy rain this film becomes washed away and the adhesion may be practically as good as that experienced on a dry sur face.

י

so obvious, the law has hitherto Imagine a number of birds sitting, face In just the same way as oil will turned a blind eye on it. It is in in the road at the contral point of valuable for sign-post reading, and a bend. They have a view both will be so long as our local Bumbles ways and if the whole flight is seen persist in making these high enough to rise above the hedge before one of surfaces from destruction by a to be seen over non-existent hedges actually reaches the corner, in all few heavy lorries at critical seasons by travellers sitting perched high in probability they have seen some- of the year, and general opinion is carts which are nearly extinct, and thing round the other side of the Injudicious braking is perhaps that further construction of low-

much too high to be read bend.

the most common cause of skidding, cost roads is not only feasible, but with

any comfort by those Failing the use of a periscope, followed by fast cornering. Four highly necessary to the welfare of who drive motor-vehicles. It these two seemingly trivial indica- wheel brakes, are, of course, much the country.

is of great help in times of fog, it tions have served me on many oe-safer than rear wheel brakes, but, Gravel is found and used for sur-makes reversing into mator-houses casions, just providing that extra since three-fifths of the braking facing in nearly every State; while much safer, and, properly used it margin of safety which keeps one effort is arranged for application to chert, shale, and disintegrated serves as a quite adequate driving out of narrow squeaks. I am not the rear wheels in most systems. It granite are found in certain States. light. If you turn it so that its suggesting them as infallible guides is comparatively easy to lock the Consolidation is secured by traffic or beam sweeps the near side of the to give an all-clear signal to sail rear wheels with a little pressure by rolling, or by both methods. The road fifty yards or so ahead, you can round corners at high speed, but on the brake pedal. materials are hauled to the road,

at a reasonable get home

pace merely as aids in driving.

In proportion to the amount of spread on the sub-grade, shaped and without head-lights. Lighting sys- On narrow rounds it is always torque which is placed upon the frequently rolled to the designed tems are much more reliable than well to keep one eye on the edge of rear wheels (either by braking or depth. Another method is to apply they were a short time ago, but it is the road, so that if an emergency acceleration) the resistance against the materials in layers of about 2in comforting to have an emergency arises you are aware of how much transverse sliding is reduced, so loose measure, each layer being con- light, entirely separate from the room there is for a sudden swerve that to lock, the wheels completely solidated by traffic, with the help of main. some Harrowing and shaping with a rond machine. These layers are applied periodically until a well-

use.

A Help Against Dazzle.

THE NATION HAS NAMED IT

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have there been such acceleration, speed, control, handling ease, road- ability, flexibility, balancel Only Buick could offer such performance In Marquette you get on engine of remarkably large displacement. You get speed that holds an honest 68 er 70 miles an hour with unequaled eoso, sleadingss and security. You get acceleration of from 10 to do miles an hour in High gear in 31 seconds. BUICK MOTOR COMPANY, FLINT, MICHIGAN Division of General Motors Corporation

Canadian Pactories McLaughlin-Buick, Oshawa, Ont

Buildur ot

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THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD

Telephone 30228,

33 WONG NEI CHUNG ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.

WHEN BETTER AUTOMOBILES ARE BUILT...BUICK WILL BUILD THEN.

off the road. In some districts ap-destroys all their sense of direction, safe brakes, he should not make parently innocent grass verges have and they will as readily slide one full and continuous use of these ad- It will be a thousand pities if its a succession of deep channels cut way as another. Owing to the ar- vantages, because, should he pull up compacted surface of 4in. to Gin misuse by the bounders of the road through them to n ditch well away rangement of the front axle, the Car suddenly, there may be another ear leads to its effectual "illegalisation." from the road. Beware of a swerve can pivot round the steering heads, behind, not so safely equipped, ía obtained. It has been very sucIt is ene of the most practical which takes the car over one of with the front wheels still rolling which will slide and skid- into him. cessful in Ohio, where stone and gadgets to be bought to-day, and, these, for the results are apt to be more or leas straight ahead, and this The steadiness, or otherwise, of a slag are also used.

to a certain extent, helps the driver expensive. If you have watched is what invariably happens. In car no doubt partly depends upon. The bituminous treatment of

of a car with fixed lights, Blacking your road you will be prepared to other words, the locked rear wheels factors over which the owner bas gravel and of earth roads shows, at out, as I said just now, is inadmis- do the right thing in a hurry. slide sideways until the car gains ng control, such as weight distribu- the present time, considerable varia-sible, but if you have a really In narrow lanes one will often momentum in its spin and, if the tion, the position of the centre of tion in the methods of applying the powerful spot-light, and turn it on obtain a chance to do another driver wheels are not freed, the movement gravity and the suspension system. material in surface treatments and to the near side so that you can not a good turn by avoiding passing at will persist until the car has turned It is generally tree, however, that the kind of bituminous material in only see where you are going, but difficult points. When an approach completely round through 180 the harsher the suspension the more safe is the car on a slippery road, Rarely is the bituminous can distinguish unlit cyclists and ing car is seen a good distance away degrees. treatment over 2in. thick, unless it pedestrians in the face of oncoming it is often possible to slow down or has been applied over a number of dazzling lights, your own head-stop at some wider portion of the If there is plenty of room, even has to be done it is a good scheme years, and gets deeper by scorifying lights may be switched off without road, where the passing can be a serious skid of this character will to tighten up all the shock absorb. and re-mixing.

risks. But it must be of high effected in comfort. This is es-not necessarily cause the alightest ers. It will also be found worth power. The ordinary kind is of pecially important on very narrow damage, or danger, but, of course while to maintain the tyres at their little avail against the distributed hills.

the presence of other vehicles, or correct pressures. blaze of a pair of big head-lamps. A situation, especially at night, of a rigid unyielding kerb may Th elty and suburban streets which needs special watchfulness is spell disaster in the form of a col trämlines should be treated with when meeting stray cattle or horses Ilsion, buckled wheels, or even over respect on wet days, as they can on the road. It is seldom possible turning.

become very slippery, and a rond to obtain compensation from the The driver should act immediately which is heavily cambared also calls owners in case of an accident, and a akid ougins to become pronounced, for caution. frequently the car owner has to pay the first thing to do being to release damages for any stock he runs the 'brake pedal so as to free the down; it is best to take no chances.

* A great deal of careful considera tion, combined with research, is given in the United States to the road problem in all its aspects, and the result is seen In the value obtained for the expenditure.

DUNLOP CONFIDENCE

Financial Times Views Favourable.

"The address which the Chairman

ROAD WANTED.

HINTS TO MOTORISTS,

Always drive fast out of alleys. Always race with locomotives to crossings. Engineers like it. It breaks the monotony of their life.

Always pass the car ahead on

the gloomy To Try a New Motor curves or turn. Don't use your jeremiads so many in the same posi-|

Cycle. the other unnerve fellow and cause him to turn out tion prefer to indulge in at the pre-

horn; it may

too far.

Demand half of the road the

you.

of the Dunlop Rubber Company de- livered at the annual meeting (says the Financial Times) was in wel- come contrast

to

the road.

The Kerb Danger.

so that when much winter driving

The Utility Motor Cyele.

rear wheels. Next, if the tail of NEW BRITISH TREND, the car is sliding towards the near side, the front wheels should be steered towards the near alde (and ‡vice versa)' with a sudden movement of the steering wheel, which will have the effect of causing the tall

Without a doubt a hearty vote of to swing in the opposite direction. thanks should be accorded by the sent time. Even in the face of an Who will lend a private road, Further corrective measures of a whole country to British motor cycle outlook-economic, financial and about two miles long, so that an similar kind may then be necessary, manufacturers. Britain is to-day middle half. Inalst on your rights.political-more uncertain than pro-attempt can be made to regain the the car gradually straightening out the leader of this industry, but in bably ever before in the history of world's motor-cycle speed record for as it pursues a sinuous course down one souse a mild apology may be Drive 'fast on wet pavements;

due to the public. British manu- there is always something to stop organised business, Sir Eric Geddes Britain?

refused to allow any room for This appeal is made to Daily Mail It is most dealrable

are that the facturers

now beginning to Now drivers should practise in pessimism. So far as the great or readers by Col. R. Crever, of brakes should come into action admit that they have concentrated the heaviest traffic; It gives them ganisation under his direction is Messrs. J. A. Prestwich and Co., as smoothly as possible, because if rather too much on the high speed, concerned, it is well equipped to Northumberland Park, Tottenham, they produce any sort of grabbing sporting type of motor bicycle, and experience they should have,

Always speed; it shows the people ceed "in faith and courago", along

meet any emergency, and will pro-N.

effect they may easily lock a wheel in so doing have, perhaps, neglected His firm, which builds the J.A.P. on a greasy road, even, although another section of the public. But you are a man of pep, even though the paths of steady development. It motor-cycle engines, has evolved for the pedal has been judiciously em while they will no doubt still con- an amateur driver.

may be urged that optimiam comes the Never stop, look, or listen at

O.E.C. motor-cycle a two-ployed. Then, again, It's obviously centrate on machines of the class easily when reviewing period cylinder supercharged engine which important that the braking effort referred to, they will now turn their crossings.

which has witnessed so material on delivers more than 85 horse-power, should be correctly distributed over energies to another type of motor

provement in the company's for-

The Germans took the motor-cycle all four wheels; adjustments are bicycle which fä' bound to create a tunes. On the other hand, it is record from Britain last year best carried out at one of the new market in that It will appeal largely because of the success of the with a speed of 184 miles an hour. modern service stations where brake to riders of a new class.

To give the object of this neglect policy from which such results fol- This new engine has done more than testing machines are available. low that Sir Eric. Goddes, In spite of 190 miles an hour on the Brooklands Another point is that when ana name, it is the "utility machine." the many and serious obstacles still racing track, but there is no suitable emergency stop is necessary on a Many persons who cannot afford to Take the shortest route around to be surmounted, was able to view piace for an attempt to back the slippery road, it is usually found run a motor cycle for pleasure alone

the future with such confidence. blind curves; let the other fellow The grounds on which the claim

record.panta

slightly more safe to leave the are debarred from owning one be watch out for himself.

Straight and Level. clutch alone rather than to declutch cause they find that they cannot

Drive confidently, just as though there weren't eighteen million other cara in service.

Always pass cora

on hiile. It shows you have more power; and

you can turn out if you meet a car

at the top.

PROMPT REPAIRS

FIAT GARAGE 67A, 87B. Des Voeux Rd.

Tel: 24821

M

is based are impressive. The quality therefore appeal," says Col. when the brake pedal is depressed, use a machine, such as they are at of the company's products and the Crever, to any Dully Mail render The condition of the tyres has also present, for business purposes. demand therefore were never so who has a suitable private road to quite a pronounced Influence upon Again, it is almost certain that a high. In spite of the severe com- lend it for the purpose, and ao come the liability to skidding, because a great number of cyclists, who at petition more tyres were sold in to the rescue of an important Briwell defined tread affords a better present fight shy of the modern "hot Britain in 1929 than ever before; tish Industry grip than ons which has become stuff motor cycle might see in the

་ ་ 4 ་ ་ the volume of the export business, "All we want la a road two miles worn and smooth.

utility machine something within notwithstanding the unsettled state long, quite straight and almost level: The skid which arises wheria their reach, and both simple and of many of the principal markets, with a moderately good surface. corner is taken fast has usually serviceable, All Britishers are is steadily riding, and the wide The gradient must not exceed one much the same consequences as the sportsmen, but all sportsmen cannot Tange of actlylties outside the motor per cent. Unless some road is found skid due to braking and is particus efford to indulge their desires. This Industry is Increasing and becom In Britam wa shall have to take larly dangerous on a left-hand band, has been the case with motor cycl fng more prodtable. As a result of a machine abroad, because cenffifugal force sends the ing. Most modern machines are the Improved efficiency and more "There are several ww arterial car alding outwards into the path fast, and built to hold the road at econo working, costs of produc roads which would be suitable, but of oncoming traffic. The only safe speed they are almost essentially a been reduced with at the the law does not allow us to use rule is to drive at a moderate speed young man's mount, and a large rungs for thei Asand course would not be in bad weather and, even if a driver section of riders are satisfed in

consequence

FISK

All-Cords

Get a K

FOR

SURE TRACTION

SAFE BRAKING

EASY STEERING

EXCESS MILEAGE

UNDER ALL CONDITIONS.

11

OBTAINABLE AT ALL GARAGES UPON REQUEST.

Sole Distributors:

GILMAN & CO.,

Tel 28011.

4a, Des Voeux Road C.

Tel. 28011.,

A Speclication List. But there are others, and the question,, ls, What do they really wart what should the utility machine be and how should it be equipped?

The following specification may be considered as a fair criterion of what is wanted.

Tyres of large section.

Wide and deep sided mudguards. Strong but not rigid duplex cradle frame, with high ground clearance

Adjustable handlebars, Standardisation of control for all

makes

Saddle tank holding 3 gallons, Separate oil tank holding 6 zállor,awa

Large flexible spring saddle. Efficient but sightly leg shields. Efficient and waterproof brakes, Easily removable wheels. Well silenced. Engine and gearbox to be ono unit; above all, flexible, economical, and reliable. With dry or wet sump

·lubrication:TRU

All mechanical parts to be easily accessible.Aj

Every moving part to be totally” enclosed

Easy starting, Footboards optional in place of

Many manufacturers and laying plans for the production of machine to come, neer these lines