The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-31
POOR B RAkES
CAUSE CAR
CRASHES
Analysis Shows 65 Per Cent
Due to Inability to
Stop Quickly.


automobile insurance actuaries,
large number of the motor We
hicles being operated over the
streets in every city have brakes
that need adjustment. Several
States, cities and towns have
passed laws requiring periodic in.
spection of brakes for the safety
OF the public. In New York city
a special squad of policemen oper.
! ating under the Department OF
Public Safety devotes its entire
time to brake inspection.
State authorities, especially trar"
| liantly with the problem OF con-
trolling traffic, the fundamental
idea being to reduce accidents to
a minimum. Most Of the States
have laws regulating the candle
power Of headlights. and requiring
certain improved lens, which are
so controlled that they do not blind
drivers approaching from the op'
posite direction: laws requiring
proper signalling devices. such as
horns, and the like, and in some
States it IL necessary, to carry
mirror on the car 50 that the oper'
ator may at q glance see what
traffic conditions are behind MIN.
These requirements are necessary,
but it IL q question whether any
single one of them is 50 vitality
necessary in the protection of life
and property, as the quick and Ell.
ficient control of the powerful for
ward thrust of q heavy moving
body-tl1e automobile.
Many and perplexing are the fac.
tors which enter into the abihty
of a driver to stop his car within
a reasonable distance. The design
Of the brake, the size Of the brake
drum, the leverage exerted, the
strength of the driver as repre-.
scented by the forward thrust OF
his or her foot upon the brake
pedal: the weight of the car, the
apeed at. which the car 10 moving.
the kind of tires used, the kind Of
road surface over which the car Is
travelling, the condition Of that road
surface. whether wet or dry, oily
or clean; the adjustment OF the
brakes on each wheel, that is to
say, whether or no the applica-
ton Of the brakes results in lock.
ing both wheels at the same In
slant: all of these factors and prob.
ably others, enter into braking ef-
ficiency.
The Asbestos Brake Lining Asso-
citation, a national organization OF
manufacturers, with headquarters
in New York city, has issued the
following suggestions for the edifS
cation of motorists:
The brakes should be tested
each day by throwing out the
clutch and applying the brakes.
If possible, select a dry spot for
making this service test. Under
no circumstances should the car
be taken farther IL the brakes are
not operating properly.
See that a good type OF brake lin
ing is selected.
Make sure that brake lining Is
properly installed.
Keep the brakes in good operat-
ing condition.
Make frequent tests for proper
brake adjustment.
Have an experienced mechanic
install brake Innings. He should
be sure the lining is properly
stretched to avoid wrinkling. The
rivets should be properly counter
sunk; otherwise the metal OF the
and the brakes may not hold prop
erly.
TO keep the brakes in good con-
dition:
Once in two months remove the
rear wheels and wash the brake
Innings in kerosene. This removes
all oil and grease, which, II pres
emit. take the "bite" out OF the
brakes. Never oil brake lining.
Wipe off and oil the brake mech
anism every 500 miles, or at least
once a month.
All drivers should keep the
brakes adjusted properly. Brakes
should not drag. If they do they
will heat up and be worn down
unnecessarily. Brakes should not
he too loose; loose brakes do not
act quickly enough. Different
adjustments are made for different
types of brakes. .
After the brakes are adjusted
so they are neither too tight nor
too loose, they should be tested
every 1000 miles, or at least once
a month, to make sure that the
braking power Is equally divided
between the two rear wheels.
Many cars skid, not because or
slippery streets, puL dISO U0~o 19S
of unequal division of brakipg
power. Jack up rear wheels ana
anplv brake far enough so that 1t
"a lust possible to turn one wheel
bv hand. Adjust brake on other
wheel so the same amount OF en-
ergv is required to turn that wheel
by hand.
How to apply brakes properly
when ION the road"
When coming to a stop on a.
straightaway, shut off the gaso-
| limo throttle and leave the Gluten
enpag ed until just before you come
to a stop. This method of stop
ming is especially advisable In wet
| weather, because it lessons the ten
dency of the car to skid. 1t also
helms distribute the braking power
equally and assists the action or
| the brakes Do not shut off the 1g-
milton until after you have stop
| ned: it may be necessary to make
| a ouick start Find out the tdling
speed maintained by your car
when the gasoline throttle Is
closed, then never Except In en-
| urgency cases) try to use your
brakes when the clutch is engaged
and the car is travelling slower
than idling speed.
In going down an ordinary hill,
leave the clutch engaged and close
| the gasoline throttle. This helps
cool the engine and also makes it
unnecessary to use the brakes.
It is sometimes desirable to turn