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 1940 motoring magazine discussing wartime driving conditions, safety, and car design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0005 | |
| Date | 25th October 1940 | |
| October 25th, 1940. The Autocar 423 OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF OUR CORRESPONDENTS, WITH WHICH "THE AUTOCAR" DOES NOT NECESSARILY AGREE. LETTERS INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE EDITOR, "THE AUTOCAR," DORSET HOUSE, STAMFORD ST. {Capt. P. R. Strong} , LONDON, S.E.1 CORRESPONDENCE [Image caption, partially obscured] Various on a wartime journey. This 1 1/2-litre M.G. was recently taken up what used to be a well-known Chilterns trials hill as a change from the main road on a certain journey. Competitors will, no doubt, be able to name the gradient without further clue. LIFTS Service Men Who Are Only Interested in Long-distance Offers [49815.]—Letter [49800] from Mr. J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} W. Shillan interested me very much, and I share his sentiments in many respects. I, too, have often had the pleasure of giving lifts to Service men, and have often wished that the capacity of my car were greater than the three seats other than my own which it boasts. There is, however, another side to the question. At least four times a week I visit a hospital on the outskirts of this city, and almost every time I find a few Service men waiting at the tram terminus and giving the familiar sign to all outgoing cars. To begin with, I stopped and offered a lift, but when I have told them that I was only going a quarter of a mile farther on in no case has my offer been accepted, the universal answer being, "Oh, we'll wait for someone going farther!" In some cases a 50-mile lift is awaited. On the other hand, if I drive past, as I now always do, there are scowls and in a few cases one or two unrepeatable epithets. Further, I have about a quarter of a mile of arterial road between the tram terminus and the hospital, perhaps I may be one of the solo drivers whom your correspondent instances, although I do not remember any New Zealanders signalling me. Thus in many cases I think that your correspondent's comments are justified, and I agree with them, but at the same time let him think of the other side of the question the next time he sees someone driving alone in these circumstances. EMBEE. Edinburgh. Destination Notices Fitted to a Car [49816.]—With reference to Mr. D. {John DeLooze - Company Secretary} W. Aldridge's letter [49795], I have solved the difficulty in connection with giving lifts in the following manner. I use my car for the purpose of getting from my home in St. {Capt. P. R. Strong} Albans to Golders Green daily. I have had two easily readable notices done on plywood, which fit behind the windscreen—one reading "Golders Green," when I leave St. {Capt. P. R. Strong} Albans, the other "St. {Capt. P. R. Strong} Albans" on returning from Golders Green in the evening. These notices I shall have treated with luminous paint when darkness sets in earlier. When I am passing a bus stop I slow up appreciably so that any interested person can signal to me. I find the idea works admirably, and certainly does away with any "black looks." On the contrary, the idea causes comment and smiles. Incidentally, I have also fixed in a prominent position (and point it out to "liftees") a notice to the effect that they are not insured against any accident whatsoever whilst in the car and accept the courtesy at their own risk entirely. ERNEST GRIMALDI. St. {Capt. P. R. Strong} Albans. AFTER DARK Searchlights as a Guide if the Siren is Not Heard [49817.]—I have noticed that the searchlights, when raiders are approaching, seem to skim in circles, and if motorists see them acting so it is a sure sign to switch off the head lamp. E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} PIKE. London, N.W.2. [The regulations, issued since this letter was written, now permit the head lamp to be kept on.—ED. {J. L. Edwards} ] SAFETY FIRST "Look Out in the Black-out" [49818.]—The recent announcement that 729 people were killed in road accidents during August, or 111 more than in the corresponding month of last year, must have surprised those who complacently anticipated that diminished traffic, due to petrol rationing and the absence of holiday travel, would have resulted in a reduction in the accident toll. The publication of these August figures completes a twelve months period of war, during which no fewer than 8,347 persons were killed on our roads, as compared with 6,628 in the corresponding pre-war period. Nearly 5,000 of those killed during the last twelve months were pedestrians—mostly elderly people, and during the hours of black-out. In these next three months the full effect of the black-out will be increasingly felt, and, if road casualties are not to soar to the appalling levels of last winter, everyone who walks, rides or drives in the dark must redouble his vigilance and consideration for others. A black-out road safety Code was recently issued in poster form by the National "Safety First" Association for display by Local Authorities, etc. This Code contains many practical hints based upon the black-out experience of last year. If road users will follow this advice, it is one way in which the casualty list can be very materially reduced. May I, therefore, appeal for the co-operation of all road users in the black-out road safety campaign in which this Association is co-operating with the Government? J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} A. {Mr Adams} A. {Mr Adams} PICKARD, General Secretary, National "Safety First" Association. THE EVERYMAN CAR Three Main Sections of Potential Users to Cater For [49819.]—I am still keeping in touch with motoring ways and happy days, thanks to The Autocar, and I have read with interest letters on the "Everyman Car." Such a car must be built to suit three distinct classes. First, those who must use a car for their living and require a cheap, hard-wearing conveyance. Secondly, those who use | ||