MOTOR CAR INNOVATION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1923, Page 1

MOTOR CAR INNOVATION

FOUR-WIIEEL BRAKE ARRIVES SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 30.

Few announcements in the automotive world have created such interest as the introduction of four-wheel brakes, as regular equipment on the 1924 models of a well-known higher class type of American motor car. The many thousands of people who have ridden in these new cars are agreeably surprised at the ease with which these brakes are controlled by a single operation of the foot pedal, and in addition to this remarkable factor of safety, announcement is now made that the insurance rates on ears equipped with these fourwheel brakes has lieen materially lessened, a fact which has proved pleasing information to buyers of automobiles in America. Anything of an inventive character which lias a tendency to reduce either the cost of operation or original cost of an article naturally appears to the average purchaser. For this reason, as well as the safety factor of having a ear eonipped with fourwheel brakes, the statement issued by Ralph Reynolds, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California, insurance department, regarding a reduction in premiums lie-cause of a reduction in hazard, has appealed to motorists very considerably in Western America. Mr Reynolds says: “Ihe l.ulcr-insiiranec Exchange of the Automobile Club of Southern. California has adopted an underwriting rule which permits a further reduction in our collision and pronerty damage insurance rates. This reduction is to apply on all cars of the private passenger type which are equipped with four-wheel brakes. “There is a reduction of 10 per cent, on collision and 5 per cold • on property damage insurance. “The reason that we have taken this action is because we feel that a car that is equipped' with four-wheel brakes is less liable to participate in a collision, and this reduction in hazard, consequently justifies a reduction in the premium charged.” This particular type of motor ear is of extremely neaL appearance and has greatly improved general lines, compared with last year’s models, and huge numbers liuve been sold already a though they have only been on the market a few weeks. As might be imagined, with the assistance of four brakes, a car travelling at high speed can be stopped in an incredibly short space, and this system of braking is proving an added advantage m an emergency in crowded street traffic in American* cities where automobiles are becoming more numerous every week. 11 is xpcelod that there will he a small diminution in the annual toll of accidents which are. a. blot pn American traffic these days.