CHARS-A-BANCS AND HOOLIGANISM.
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By " Vectis."
IT seems to be fairly generally agreed that the hooliganism which is undoubtedly noticeable in the behaviour of some parties using chars-abancs and kindred vehicles is seldom, if ever, the result of any laxity or fault of legitimate motorcoach proprietors.
Firms of good re in repute running motor chars-iebancs will, in their own interests, strongly discourage this sort of thing, because, if they fail to do so, they will lose their better-class custom, and, sooner or later, a reduction in their receipts must follow. Decently behaved people will not take the risk of riding in vehicles, some of the other passengers of which are likely to make themselves thoroughly objectionable to other road users. They will take care not to be associated with such people, and therefore it is to be feared that the criticisms of hooliganism which have appeared in the Press even now may have a detrimental effect on the decently conducted businesses of established coach Proprietors. Probably in most cases the influence of the bulk of the passengers would be, in itself, sufficient to restrain the few who might be lacking in manners. c4 One can, therefore, see the likelihood of hooliganism being far more frequent when vehicles are le, or lent to parties than when seats are sold singlf This inference is in line with the actual evidence available. Drunkenness and rowdy behaviour by passengers in
public service motor vehicles would not be tolerated by other passengers to whom the offenders are strangers. Moreover, it would be seldom that small parties-occupying a few seats on motor coaches would attempt to take an excessive amount of intoxicating liquor with them. On the other hand, when a vehicle is lent or let to a party, it is to all intents and purposes the property, for the time being, of that party. If the rowdy element predominates it is practically impossible for the driver or conductor to maintain decent order, because the passengers are unanimous in preventing him from doing so. Such a party, again, may takea quantity of liquor with them in order not to be bothered by the licensing laws, and, as we have read, if the supply runs short while the public houses are open, the attempts of the driver to avoid stopping at them can be deliberately frustrated by passengers,. who will drop property out of the Vehicle so aá to compel if to stop where they wish. It would seem, therefore that reputable coach proprietors would be well advised to limit strictly the business done by letting vehicles as'a whole to parties, inquiring into the constitution of such parties in advance and making a definite stipulation that intcaicants shall not be taken aboard.
A far more difficult case to deal with is that in which a lorry owner, with the best of intentions, lends a vehicle out of business hours to his employees and their friends. Noedoubt he stipulates that the regular driver ?shallebe in charge of it, but even se he runs a risk, because, if the party gets rowdy, the driver, even if he remains sober himself, works under great difficulties involving considerable. danger. There appears toibe conclusive evidence to the effect that this practice of lendingqrade vehicles for beanfeastsis on the increase, and is responsible; for much of tie trouble under discussion. We hardly think that the vehicle owners ;realize fully all the factors of the position when, outof the kindness of their hearts, they allow their machines to be used in this way In the first place, there is the question of insurance. The policy is.jyresuinably issued in respect of a trade vehicle for the carriage of goods. Should a serious accident occur, it is at least questionable whether the insurance company wauld be liable if, at the time of the -accident, the vehicle was being used for a purpose in no way contemplated when the policy was issued, especially if that Purpose involved a considerable measure of risk. This might well be argued to be so. if a crowd of more or less drunken people are being carried, their presence making it practically impossible for the driver to attend properly to his business.
The next point is perhaps even more important. At any rate, it is not merely a speculation, but a eettainty. Thevehicle has presumably been regis tered as a trade velticle. No licence duty has been paid, as would have been the case with a private car. A trade vehicle is legally defined as one which is constructed, or adapted, for use, and used solely for the conveyance of goods in the course of trade. A vehicle registered as a trade vehicle cannot, therefore, be used for the carriage of passengers without its owner rendering himself liable to the payment of a licence duty based upon horse power. This would be 10 :guineas if the power of the.engine is between 33 and 40 h.p., and 221 if the engine power exceeds 40 h.p. The fact of an owner having permitted his lorry to be used by holiday parties, would immediately entail the obligation of paying this duty if the attention of the authorities, were directed to the matter.
Again, as regards the petrol tax, which, though it is to be abolished, remains in force for this year, the definition of a trade vehicle is similar. By making use of such a vehicle, for the carriage of passengers, the owner renders,himself liable to a refusal on the part of the authorities to allow any rebate on the petrol duty, and may even be required to return any sums that he has received as rebate during the current year. This may mean an expense of anything from a few pounds up to as much as £40 or £50 on the year.
Altogether, then, the motor owner takes considerable financial risk when he allow l his vehicle to be employed for carrying parties of passengers. In the event of the passengers making themselves objectionable to other road users, developments are. extremely _likely to be such as to draw the attention of the authorities to what is going on. I feel that it is -important to point out that this casual use of lorries as improeised chars-IL-banes is not only liable to annoy the public and -create a prejudice against motor transport, but may actually involve• very considerable expense to the motor owner himself. It is therefore a very undesirable practice.