Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-12
In the Motor World
BY G, ADAMS HOWARD.

The above may seem academic and
unnecessary, but strict observance OF
them will reduce about 80 per cent Of
all accidents The fact that the total
number of accidents is increasing proves
that these simple rules are not being
observed
Recently a local corporation re-
warded some OF its drivers with medals
furnished by the National Safety Coun-
Gil for no accidents throughout the
year Awards were made to 30. More
than half million miles had been
covered by this group within year.
Accidents do not nave to happen. They
can be avoided.
Lighter Cars Seen.
The next great step in motor car
design will be lightweight construction
and within several years this will be
the aim of every manufacturer in the
industry, according to engineers of a
leading body company.
We are making cars heavier than
they should be today" these specialist
point out. "A five-passenger sedan, fol
example, weighs 1900 pounds today
Without reducing the size of this Cal
it could be redaSigned to weigh not more
than 1000 pounds. If a 29O0-pound
automobile requires IS horsepower tC
drive it, the same same car. when re-
designed to weigh only 1900 pounds
will need but 35 horsepower. This. in
turn. Will mean more economical fue
consumption, less tire wear and chc2pc.
operating costs all around. The re-
duction in weight can be effected by
Using high-grade metals and discardina
all wood parts. AS 1t is today the re-
duction in weight accomplished in re-
cent years has been due in large part
to the increased use of all-steel con-
struction in body building"
This may help the situation where
automobile taxes are levied according
to weight.
Distance Needed Between Cars.
How closely behind another car may
one drive and vet enjoy feeling OF
security from accident?
The question has much more than
mere academic interest at this par
ticular season, when highways in all
parts of the country are thronged with
motorists DESTROYS Of getting somewhere
end extremely anxious to do so with
complete safety. 1t is answered by en-
gineers Of the American Road Builders
Association, who are convinced the sub
ject is one upon which every driver
should have accurate information.
Basing their calculations upon a sin
gle l0-foot lane of pavement, these eX-
pcrts point out that at speed OF so
miles an hour the driver should leave a
distance of 233 feet between himself
and the car ahead Such an allow
ance presumcs, Of course. conditions
that prohibit pulling out of single
lane to mass the cor ahead This SirU3
ton is encountered only at peak traffic
leads. the engineering authorities de-
clare, but it is one that the average
motorist should be prepared in advance
to meet.
Data compiled by Pennsylvania S
Highway Department reveal the follow
ing to be the safe margins between
vehicles travelling in a single lane at
various speeds:
Thirty miles an hour, II feet; IS
miles. 80 feet; 40 miles, 1l3 feet, d
miles, 1873 feet; 81 miles. 1877 feet Sd
miles, 1913 feet. and 60 n lies. 233 feet
If the motor vehicle operator pro-
tests that such stopping distance al
lowance on city streets would hope
lessly reduce traffic capacity, it is eX-
planned that these are distances bases
upon travel in a single traffic lane Thai
he is able to proceed with comparative
safety with smaller margin than. say
the II feet specified at a speed Of 81
miles an hour is because street with
enables him to change traffic lanes
Where such fleXibility is not permitted
allowance of the stopping margins
specified in the table is his reasonable
assurance against that increasing type
Of accident-the rear-end collision.