THOUGHTS ON TOUR

NZ Truth, Issue 1108, 24 February 1927, Page 16

THOUGHTS ON TOUR

Fast Drivers and Service Cars Much has been said (and no doubt will be said as time goes on) about the dangerous driving of the service cars which are now m operation m, so many parts of the Dominion.

OUR experience on the road has so far failed to uphold this idea. We have found the service car driver to be considerate for others' and m every sense a first-class motorist. I-Ie expects slower traffic to make way for him without delay, and when he gets a slow driver ahead of him, clinging to the crown of the road, it is not unnatural that he gets impatient, for he is running to a timetable. On the other hand he is not above giving way to a faster car without question. . A Perhaps many motorists have got the idea that the service car driver is "stunting" and showing off m much the same style :as may be seen on sonic of our suburban roads at week-ends. ' r This is an idea which needs revision. The service man is driving m deadly earnest. .His sole object is to get from Ato B m" a certain time. His car is m first-class order, and he is simply doing what he has done many dozens of times before. If you don't believe this, get hold of a fast car and try to persuade the service man to race with you. He will be driving fast, but when you come up behind, him we will guarantee that -he will pull m let you pass if you sound your horn, let you go by without giving more than a passing glance at your car, and then, settle down to his own scheduled speed again. \ , ' • ; But of course he will have to be regulated m some way or other. For the sake ofr those who travel between some of the awkward and un-get-at-able places m New Zealand, let us hope that he will not be regulated out of existence like the motor-buses. What sort of regulations are

neede.d.? Well, for one thing we think that a standardized warning signal might be arranged, as is •! ' done with fire engines m many ' cities, so that careless drivers might be warned m time of his approach. .-....- It might possibly be well if * his time-tables could be submitted to a board for approval, and perhaps the service cars themselves might be subjected to some special form of periodical inspection. . '■ l. The most important thing which must be remembered when any such regulations are under consideration is this: The service car companies, during the last few years, have built up I services which have obtained the confidence of-a large section of the travelling public. \ ■ They are, m many cases, offering better service than either the railways or the parcels post. If, by legislation similar to that which has been brought m against the motor-bus, they are regulated out of existence, what is to take their place? ■•■■/' In this matter there can be no doubt that the founders of these services have merited the aid and approval of the "public. It will be well to see that they are not forced out of business by oppressive regulations. :