Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31118, 22 July 1966, Page 9

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

the square stopped behind me with a peremptory blast on the horn. A snarled “What’s your hurry?” hardly created a good first impression, and a total lack of interest in any but the officer’s own version of the incident did not improve matters. We parted agreeing to differ, and the one thing that struck me was that for quite some time afterwards I certainly felt in no mood to co-operate with any traffic officer! Such inci-

dents certainly do not improve public relations, nor do they encourage co-operation from citizens. Works Both Ways Of course courtesy should work both ways, and while 1 have recently heard of several strong complaints about discourteous traffic officers in the city, I have also heard of many cases in which roadusers have been equally rude to officers. This sort of thing snowballs: a motorist snarls at an officer, which may well encourage the officer to snarl at the next motorist to whom he has cause to speak. Discourtesy is even more contagious than courtesy.. Arms Inside I hope Canterbury drivers have noted the report from Australia on arm injuries suffered by persons who drive with their elbow out the window. In a month or so, when the weather becomes warmer, we will again see dozens of drivers cruising along half-out the window. The practice is dangerous not only because it makes injury more likely, but also because it lessens the driver’s control over his car in an emergency and can make other motorists think a hand-signal is being given. The practice is illegal in

some places overseas: there is much to be said for similar legislation here. Noisy Vehicles I sec the authorities in Wellington are concerned at the number of noisy vehicles on the road, particularly at night, and are planning strong action. In Christchurch, too, there seems to have been an outbreak of unsilenced vehicles recently, the worst offenders being “old bangers.” Some young drivers seem to think noise always denotes power, yet it is the leastpowerful vehicles which seem to make the most noise! Removing the muffler of a production car, makes a negligible difference to power; in some cases it reduces it. Quote of the Week “In spite of its critics, its failings, the industrial disputes which beset it and the handicaps which are forced upon it by successive unsympathetic Governments, the motor industry is a vital part of Britain. Without it the economy of this country would fall flat on its face, with no-one to pick it up.”— from an editorial in the British magazine, “Motor.”