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From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Correspondence page from a motoring magazine discussing road safety, vehicle design, and driving habits.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 160\4\  scan0071
Date  25th April 1939
  
April 25, 1939.
491
The Motor

Correspondence

Letters intended for publication must be written on one side of the paper only and should be as short as possible. They may be signed with a nom de plume (except names of cars and proprietary articles), but the name and address of the sender must be enclosed as a guarantee of good faith. No responsibility is taken for views expressed by the writers. Address "The Motor," 5-17, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.1.

[Image of a woman kneeling and holding a rolled-up piece of material]

Glass which rolls up like a rug. This is the new safety glass produced in America and described in The Motor last Tuesday. It is of the laminated type with a plastic inside material.

Holed-in One

YOU know—I know—and all those interested in matters concerning the use of roads know, that the admirable report of the House of Lords Committee will join its late-lamented brother, the Bressey Report, in some obscure and dusty pigeon-hole in the appropriate inner sanctum of Whitehall.

The clauses relating to the control of cyclists were alone sufficient to condemn it to this fate, as no Government could possibly risk the potential loss of some 12 million votes at a General Election.

Just think of it—the central government of the greatest Empire in all history might be completely altered—and with it all future history—over, let us say, the question of whether cyclists should be compelled to use tail lamps or not.

SO WHAT?
Chiswick, London, W.

Skating-rink Roads

RUBBER paving at the approach to an important crossing in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, was recently replaced by nidged-granite setts, which make a fine, even, but non-skid surface.

ANDREW REID.
London, W.C.2.

Wet Wood Blocks

A POINT which, I believe, is sometimes put forward in favour of wood-block road surfaces is the ease and cheapness with which they can be replaced. Why is it then that, when a section of wood-block surface is being replaced, a new concrete under-surface nearly always seems to be necessary? Surely this is not the way of economy!

As regards the dangerous character of this type of road, this is borne out by the actions of the L.C.C. themselves, who have recently detailed men to throw a coat of gravel over such surfaces at various points during wet weather. More expense.

NONSKID.
Ruislip.

Garages Govern Car Sizes

I PROPOSE to initiate in motor trade circles a movement for the encouragement of larger garages in medium-priced houses. At the moment, in the majority of industrial cities, houses costing from £750 to £1,200 are built with small garages in which it is impossible to accommodate a car larger than the normal ten.

This undoubtedly prevents many people from owning a bigger type car and travelling in greater comfort. Moreover, in my opinion, larger cars are safer owing to their greater braking surfaces and road-holding qualities.

It would also be a national asset to increase large car sales, as it would help us to obtain a greater measure of export business, and it would, at the same time, tend to raise the prices of larger used cars and those of expensive makes. A large factor in the depreciation ratio in the bigger type of car is brought about by the garaging problem (when the value nears the £200 mark).

I am quite aware that ground costs and rates would enter into this consideration, but I would be glad to hear the views of people connected with house building, estate agents and others; I think many house owners would welcome bigger garages.

W. J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} LORD.
Coventry.

Road v. {VIENNA} Rail in Time of War

IT is extraordinary how some people resent efforts to secure road improvements for this country. If Mr. Lane (The Motor, April 18) finds any merit in the present state of our roads, he is lucky. Every week 110 people are killed—they are not so lucky. It is well known that the surfaces of French and German minor roads are inferior to ours, but at least they are adequate to the traffic which uses them, and road improvements are keeping pace with traffic expansion.

Obviously bombs would damage motor roads. They damage most things—that is why people use them—but I said in my article (The Motor, April 11) that traffic dislocation would be less on a road than on a railway, which is true. As for visibility from the air, the autobahnen are given a dark surface at strategic points, and if Mr. Lane has done much flying he must know that polished railway lines prove an admirable guide line by day or by night.

L. GORDON WILKINS.
London, E.C.1.

Protecting Women's Shoes

A LITTLE time ago a reader wrote that she had cured a 'motorist's cramp' by driving in high-heeled shoes. Might I endorse her advice. In view of her experience I gave up driving in 'sensible' shoes and now wear my usual rather high-heeled type. All cramp and leg weariness have utterly vanished.

Unfortunately, the back of a smart shoe is quickly ruined by driving, and, although there are shoe protectors on sale, I found them distinctly fiddling to put on and off when making several calls and prone to soil the gloves on wet days.

Possibly other women motorists may be interested in the manner in which I have overcome this difficulty.

I obtained a sponge-rubber mat about 12 ins. square and 1¼ ins. thick and made for it a velvet cover fitted with a draw tape. This makes the ideal footrest when driving in high heels and offers complete protection for the shoe; even the delicate surface of patent leather remains unscratched.

SYBIL PEARSON.
Bath.

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