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).
Letter concerning an accident with car 19-EX, attributing it to driver error and proposing measures for driver conduct.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0053 | |
| Date | 28th February 1933 | |
| G.W.Hancock, Hotel de France, Chateauroux, Indre, FRANCE. From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Re. 19-EX. CAR. I have had a talk to Roberts since he returned. He has been examined by his own doctor who says it will be about a fortnight before he is fit to start work. As soon as he is fit we propose to send him back to Chateauroux. I have also spoken to Taylor. It appears to be fairly certain that the cause of the accident on 19-EX. was due to the fact that the corner was taken too fast and the car got out of control. It can be quite understood that the same corner could be taken at the same speed quite safely on either the Peregrine or Bensport, whereas it would be dangerous on the 40/50. The answer to that of course is that our drivers are experts and professionals and the reason they hold the job at all is because we expect them to have enough experience and knowledge to handle the car safely. In the case of 19-EX. there appears to be no extenuating circumstances. The road was clear, the corner was perfectly visible, the roads were dry, the tyres were good. It can only be put down to error of judgement. In order to impress the fellows out there that we do not send them to France in order to blind around the country, we attach herewith copy of a letter which you might give to each of the drivers. I suggest also that whenever the car is on the road one of the men you should appoint to be Captain of the Ship. He should see that the car is not driven recklessly and would report anyone who did not carry out his instructions. It is a problem we have got to tackle because when we get the Bensport car out there it will be a fast car and will be perfectly safe as long as there is good judgement. I know very little about Taylor but the impression I have gathered is that I should not class him as a first class driver, or the material that would make a first class driver. We realise that it is impossible for us to provide you with | ||