Useless Statistics
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ANYONE who wants a mine of useless, out-of-date information can buy it from the Stationery Office for 2s, 6d. It is the "Report on the Census of Production for 1954" for the motor vehicle and cycle manufacturing industries and has just been published. Among other things, it gives the output of commercial vehicles for 1954, which was known by the end of February, 1955. All the other statistical information is
similarly four years behind the times.
It would be instructive to know the number of public servants engaged in compiling such returns and the cost of the work. The waste of effort and money in industry in producing the necessary statistics would be even greater.
Coaching to Carey Street
A CORRESPONDENT to Cycling and Mopeds, an associated P-1 journal of The Commercial Motor, suggests that coach operators should provide vehicles specially designed to carry about 20 passengers and an equal number of bicycles in a tear compartment. The idea is that the coach would take the cyclists to territory some 50 miles beyond their normal range, and bring them back at night.
"If some enterprising coach proprietor in a large town were to provide such a vehicle, I am sure that it would be booked up by club parties every Sunday," he says. Any "enterprising" operator who invested £4,000 in a special coach in the hope that it might be hired once a week would soon find himself booked up by the Official Receiver.
No Accident
DRIVERS who make a habit of accidents are apparently liable to other forms of anti-social conduct. A survey among taxi drivers in a large American town showed that 33 per cent, of those who had had several accidents had appeared in court for other than motoring offences and 33 per cent, also systematically contracted debts. Fifteen per cent. had been summoned before the juvenile courts. The proportion
of accident-free drivers who had earned these three distinctions was extremely small.
All this suggests that accidents are no accident.
Gentle Art
Dpi RUTE force and sheer ignorance, are responsible for about U 50,000 accidents a'year in handling goods. They would not have happened if the art of lifting and carrying, which requires skilful use of the right muscles, had been understood.
The Ministry of Labour has come to the rescue with an illustrated booklet and wall chart on the subject. The Stationery Office sells them at Is. each. Transport managers would be wise to circulate them among men who have to hump goods about. They may prevent claims for injury and loss of the services of much-needed labour.
Britain's First
lypio will be Britain's first traffic engineer to be employed W by a local authority for the express purpose of solving congestion problems? All credit is due to the newly formed traffic committee of Newcastle upon Tyne City Council for deciding to go ahead with the appointment and to blaze a trail which I hope other authorities will be quick to follow.
In the Frying Pan
THE threat of renationalization has apparently caused a Hull haulage executive to transfer to a company who, he thinks, would not be affected by politics if a Labour Government were returned at the next election. He is a wise man who can forecast what industrial action the Socialists might take in any sphere.
Hush!
NEVER mention the Removal of Vehicles (England and Wales) Regulations at 146 New Bond Street. They are a sore subject.