Arizona republican., 1919-12-28
BRAKE TEST SHOWS WHY ACCIDENTS ARE
 ALWAYS HAPPENING

The following article taken from the
 San Francisco Bulletin on the recent
 brake tests conducted there will be of
 general interest to the motoring public Of Arizona The story has been written
 by George $. Daniels, and reveals the fact that in order to be perfectly safe
 in motoring over the average road, certain specifications must be fol-
 lowed:
 No single feature of the present day automobile is more important, and
 none has had as much abuse. as the
 brakes. A speed-loving public de- mands quick getaway and power put few express desire to know what proportion the braking surface of the car they buy is to tho weight Of the car. After purchase, a small minority keep their brakes in condition so that in case of impending accident quick stop can be made.
 Automobile manufacturers, however. realizing that the success of their product is largely dependent upon the brakes. have given the brake problem considerable study and thought, with the result that most cars if their brakes are given just ordinary care. will function properly and efficiently.
 The Thermoid Rubber company, manufacturers of Thermoid brake lin- ing. recently completed an investiga- ton of automobile accidents and com piled a chart which shows the maxi mum safe stopping distance for dif- ferent speeds without skidding the tires. The company points out that cars whose brakes fail to control the car to these requirements are operated at risk. not only to the driver. but to the general public. The investisa- ton revealed the fact that more than 60 per cent of all motor car accidents are the result of faulty brakes. that motor-car accidents are on the in crease and that systematic brake in spection would result in a big reduc- -ion in the number of crashes.
 The Wirys- Overland company of Toledo made an exhaustive engineer ing study of the brake situation be- fore coming to decision on the brake design of the new Overland Four As proof of their assertions that the car is equipped with one of the most eff cient braking systems ever designed and that it's radical spring suspension, which is a feature of the car, is largely responsible for an unequaled brake ac- tion, an official test was made this week under the direction of the Bulle- tin automobile department.
 The Thermoid brake inspection chart was used as the basis for the test. This chart calls for q stop in 9.2 feet of n car going 10 miles an hour. POS feet at 15 miles an hour. 37 feet at 20 miles an hour. 14S feet al 40 miles an hour, etc.
 Because the Thermoid investigation showed that more than 70 per cent of the accidents occur when the cars were going less than 15 miles an hour, ye. most of the driving is done at 20 miles an hour. so the 20-mile speed was se- lected for the test.
 Two white lines were marked on a level pavement 37 feet apart. Then, with four passengers in the car. in- cluding the writer. the Overland -Four" was driven up to the first line at a 20-mile speed. As it crossed the line the power was shut off and the foor brakes applied. The car stopped in exactly 31 feet inches. just feet limit.
 It was a remarkable demonstration Overland factor of safety is extremely high That few have this ability de-