Motoring
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X7404700407 |
| Date | 01 October 1974 |
| Published date | 01 October 1974 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
CHIEF
INSPECTOR
PAUL
HARRIS
A von and Somerset Constabulary
Motoring Correspondent of The Police Journal
MOTORING
Vehicle Safety
Although probably little known outside the giant motor com-
panies the annual International Technical Conferences on Ex-
perimental Safety Vehicles are events which are likely to have
tremendous influences on the millions of people whose lives are
affected by the motor vehicle. 1974 brought the fifth Conference
to Britain at an exciting time. After several years of development
the world's motor manufacturers were ready to exhibit their pro-
gress in practical terms to complement the technical discussions.
Forecasts indicate that by the early 1980's road vehicles will
be very different from those of today. The interest fostered in
the world's car producing regions has led to very rapid develop-
ment of safety systems and the displays at the Safety Exhibition,
spread over 2,500 sq. ft. of our own Transport and Road Research
Laboratory, clearly revealed current progress.
In recent years European manufacturers have led the world
in primary safety systems or accident avoidance. Improvements
in braking, suspension, tyres and lighting have helped to increase
the safety factors for all road users. There can be no doubt that
many accidents are avoided by the ability of the modern car to
respond quickly in emergency situations. The driver today is
often able to escape the consequence of a misjudgement which
would have had serious results in an older vehicle. This is an
beneficial but accidents still occur and the 1974 Conference em-
phasized the work which has been done in secondary safety, i.e.,
preventing or reducing injury to persons involved in vehicle to
vehicle or vehicle to pedestrian conflicts.
It
is not generally realized that, even in a modern car, a col-
lision with a solid object at impact speeds in excess of 30 m.p.h.
produces deceleration forces which are in excess of the normal
human survival level. The safety vehicle is intended to ensure that
October 1974 322
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