FAULTY BRAKES & STEERING

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 247, 20 October 1942, Page 4

FAULTY BRAKES & STEERING

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CLAIM. EFFECT OF PETROL RATIONING. An assertion that the percentage of vehicles found during the past year to have iaulty brakes and steering had increased from approximately 25 per cent. in pre-petrol rationing days to 60 and 70 per cent., is contain ed in a reply by the Transport Department to a Motor Union suggestion that warrants of fitness be required in respect of 5000 miles of travel, or alternatively, once a year during the war period. The Department therefore considered it necessary, in the interests of public safety, to continue the six-monthly periods of inspection. After discussing the position it has been decided by the S.I.M.U. executive to obtain figures from the Christchurch 'testing station relative to the matter. It was reported that the North Island Motor Union had applied to the Commissioner for Transport for more information regarding the percentage increase of faulty brakes, as it seemed quite impossible that privately-owned cars, with the small mileage they were covering, could deteriorate to such an extent. In reply the Department had stated that the latest statistics revealed that 72 per cent. of the vehicles tested had shown faulty brakes, compared with 28 per cent. before rationing. "This matter has now been under consideration for some time but the returns received from the various testing stations throughout the Dommion indicate that the number of vehicles with faulty brakes and steering has consider ably increased," stated a letter from the Department to the N.I.M.U. "The percentage with these faults during the last year has increased from qpproximately 25 per cent. to 60 and 70 per cent. This indicates a lack of attention on the part of the owner. It has also been found that the electric equipment and vacuum operated windscreen wipers deteriorate to a greater extent when the vehicle is not in regular use."