Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-08
1881 AUTOMOBILES
HELD TO Be SAFER
Conclusion Drawn. From
Opinion of Definite Engi-
neering Survey.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
DETROIT. March while the new
cars Of 1881 represent more power and
therefore more speed than any yet
built, they likewise are safer. This
conclusion is to be drawn from engi-
neering opinion, which is the result of
definite surveys.
Nowadays cars of the lowest price
that are not capable of maintaining 60
miles an hour at high speed are deemed
unworthy by the average owner, while
IN the high-prtced models 95 and and
up to 100 miles an hour maximum are
common enough.
Urges Express Highways.
Talking before Detroit ASSEMBLY, q
few days ago G. F. Kettering, vice
search laboratories, said there was no
reason why tnsre should not be lines
Of great express highways clear across
America.
we are RICH enough TO afford it."
he said, land the minute that is done
we can give you motor cars that you
can drive mile after mile at rs miles
an hour"
Mr.. Kettering cited the construction
OF express highways as one means that
could be adopted to provide more en-
ployment for a percentage of the popu-
latlon that has no jobs now.
That automobiles capable of high
speeds could be operated over them
with a greater margin of safety than
under present traffic conditions is con-
cedsd. To this must be added the view
Of certain engineers that the laws of
numerous States covering the braking
power OF cars have been obsoleted by
advances made in brake mechanisms.
State laws that only require an au-
tomobne to stop from a speed of 20
miles an hour within so feet are OBJ
solete, investigations have shown. Mod
ern brakes will stop car within 10 feet
at that speed.
This Is assumed to apply to both the
hydraulic and the mechanical types of
brakes which have been developed over
a period OF five years and during the
same space of time that the added
power and speeds have been built UP to
the present levels.
The safety question Is a large one,
as shown by the increasing volume of
fatal traff1c accidents. The trafic ex-
perts contend that 1t is not enough
for q car to be able to stop within a
specified distance. It must be able to
stop safely, with the braking effort
properly distributed between front and
rear wheels.
In making an emergency stop, re-
search has shown that the front of a
car actually drops two or three inches,
resulting In a condition which proper
brake adjustment must provide for.
One engineering view is that the mod
ern car, to be efficient In quick STOP
page, should exert braking effort of be-
tween 10 and 30 per cent Of the weight
Of the vehicle.
According to Dr. Miller McClintock,
head of the Erskine Bureau of Traff1c
Research, remedies for the present lack
found in better highways, better We
hicles and better drivers.
Human Element Present.
While the automobile manufacturers
can build in" more safety and turn
out cars supposedly fool-proof there
is the human element Of the driver still
to be reckoned with. Examination by
authorities covering more than 1000, 900
cars on the road has indicated that IS
per cent, or more Of them as an aver
age. have faulty brakes, due to owner
neglect of periodic inspection and adj
justment.
Future progress would point toward
laws that will require definite standards
Of maintenance as well as construction.
Many Of the present laws, according to
Robins B. Stocked, Connecticut Com
missioner Of Motor Vehicles, should be
revised. One that he has cited is In
force in many States. It calls for two
independent brake systems that are not
connected with each other for every
car. To this regulation there are many
cars that do not conform as now built.
It would be much better, DR.. Stocked
contends, II the laws merely required
that vehicles be provided with brakes
that are adequate for safety.
This would simplify enforcement be-
cause rules would become more inclu-
sive and so general in language and
application that reasonable compliance
with them could be insisted upon. Such
laws would tend TO fix the RESPONSE
bility upon the individual and toward
measuring his performance by reason.
(Copyrieht, 1881. by Eorth American News
paper kIliance)