ESTIMATING SPEED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5341, 19 October 1928, Page 1

ESTIMATING SPEED.

MAGISTRATE’S OPINION. In a case of speeding at the Wa. u & a " nui Magistrate’s Court recently a defendant motorist estimated that he cQ.uld.stop his, car. within 18 feet when travelling at 25 miles an hour. Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., who has dealt with nearly 100 such casep thisi year, said that in a test at Hawera a new car. equipped with four-wheel brakes, op a. good breaking surface, and travelling at from 15 to, 18 jniles an hour, could not be stopped in less, than 21 feet. Mr Barton quojted teats, givep in the Scientific. American, on a car fitted with pistols, one of which fired without the driver’s knowledge. Immediately the pistol exploded the driver applied the brakes, and when they were fully engaged the seccpd pistol fired. Both pistols were charged with red lead, which, being shot) Qin to the surface of the road 1 , made a definite mark. With the very best driver the length between thet two marks', Svith a car going at 30 miles an hour, was 21 feet. “A motorist who has been travelling at 40 1 miles an hour, and wh’o slows down to about 20, would honestly think he was doing about io miles ;a;n hour l ,” said Mr. Ba,rton.