The Problem of Cross-road Traffic.
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ONE of the problems of motor-vehicle driving is the need for discovering some Means whereby collisions at road junctions—or the risk thereof— may be avoided. It'is Probable that (mite 50 per cent. of the accidents that occur on the highway take place at cross-roads, whilst the number of narrow escapes must be extraordinary.
Can the risk be materially reduced or even entirely eliminated? If it can, a very great benefit will be conferred generally. Various ways in which the desired end could more or less be attained have been suggested, but, unfortunately, fTe m'ajoritSr of them would entail so great an expenditure as to put them out of the question. To station a constable to control the traffic at every cross-road and road junction would probably be effectual but tobviously impracticable, because of the expense and wastage of man power. To make structural alterations at practically every crossroad and all.most of the road junctions (so that in the former case it'would be unnecessary, and un-availing, to'drive straight across a main road and, in the latter case, greater visibility would be given) would absorb the moneys in the Road Fund for many years to come.
• Another and, at first sight, practicable check on carelessness has often been advanced, and that is to give priority to all main road traffic, placing the roads at every road junction in their proper categories of first importance and secondary importance. It is held that by giving priority to traffic on the. first-importance roads the onus of avoiding accidents would be put upon those drivers who wished to emerge from secondary roads. But this would quickly prove unworkable, for drivers who wished to cross a busy main road, or to turn on to it, would scarcely be given a chance, for main road traffic is nowadays almost an unbroken stream in each direction.
A better way would seem to be to classify the roads at every junction and to place a warning on the main road announcing the proximity of a cross-road or other road junction, whilst, on the secondary road. the warning would tell of the fact that a main road was so many yards ahead. Thus drivers would receive the desirable (and at present largely withheld) information and, as neither main road nor secondary road. traffic would have priority, the drivers would be compelled to exercise proper care in negotiating the junctions. The matter is of extreme importance to drivers of heavy vehicles who are all too often expected to give way to faster traffic.
The Suggested Exhibition of Inventions at Olympia.
THE suggestion to devote part of the space available at Olympia during the next show of commercial vehicles to the purpose of exhibiting inventions is, we think, a step in the right direction. Hitherto, inventors have had great difficulty in bringing their ideas to the notice of those likely to be interested, as, in the matter of inventions which have not reached the fully developed stage, . the cost of taking an ordinary stand for their exhibition would have been prohibitive. In the present case the reasonable charge of two guineas is suggested for space on counters provided for the purpose. Another point which strikes us as a practical idea is the suggestion that the Institution of Automobile Engineers, who will organize the exhibition, will reserve the power to reject any exhibit which appears to them to be impracticable. If the selection of the inventions for exhibition be entrusted to such a competent body as the Council of the Institution, one may rely upon the exhibition being free from the unwanted and unworkable ideas one has seen at similar displays in the past.. • The wild, uninformed crank who rushes in where angels fear to tread has brought discredit on the word " inventor" and has been the cause of invention sections at exhibitions being nicknamed " The Chamber of Horrors." Had a careful censorship always been exercised many inventions of merit might have been shown. The dread of being associated with cranks and faddists deters men who know what they are doing from showing their ideas at exhibitions of the kind. Whether this exhibition will be carried out or not depends, to an extent, on the support the Institution receives. All persons wishing to exhibit any inventions are desired to communicate at once with the Secretary of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, Watergate House, Adelphi, London, W.C.2. We strongly recommend those who are most competent to design good and useful things in connection with the motor industry to cast aside any feeling of reserve and to set a good example by showing some useful idea that may have occurred to them at some time. We feel rather strongly on this point, as we do not consider that sufficient encouragement has ever been shown to invention in this country. It must be remembered that England owes her greatness and wealth as much to her inventors as to her statesmen or generals, for sound inventions usually benefit the country of their origin.