Cars in Great Britain

CARS IN GREAT BRITAIN The following special table shows the number of private cars in use from 1917 to 1934 together with the annual percentage in• crease and number of persons per car in the United Kingdom. Previous to 1911 the various types of motor vehicles in use had not been classified.

The figure 33.59 persons per private car given in the foregoing table for the United Kingdom in 1934 compares as follows with other principal motor using countries.

Classification by

H.P.—A return issued by the Ministry of Transport showing the number of vehicles bearing current licences during the quarter ending Sept. 3o, 1934, shows the classification in respect of horse power. The table given in the next column is not up-to-date, but it is the latest available, and is very interest ing as showing the degree of popularity of each. (See also MOTOR CYCLES.) Freedom of Residence.—There is yet another matter having a very important bearing on the continually increasing use of the motor car, namely the greater freedom which it affords as regards choice of residence. First, the motor car appealed as a means whereby the town dweller could get out into the country, espe cially at week-ends, for both pleasure and health. Any train journey involves starting at a fixed time, with tedious waiting sometimes for train connections, and, in the case of the family man, the accompanying anxiety and worry of tired and peevish children and nervous strain on all concerned. These contingencies

in connection with "a day in the country" or a week-end were sufficiently serious to weigh heavily with most so that more often than not it was judged preferable to stay at home rather than face such trials. With the coming of the motor car all this was entirely changed. That which was formerly a serious undertaking has now become an unalloyed pleasure. Those who make their journeys by car instead of by train gain thereby greater freedom, reduced cost and, very often, reduced expenditure of time also. Further, the average town dweller is no longer tied down for residence to the close neighbourhood of his business, with the probable incidentals of high rents and rates. He can now go further afield—to the country which, until then, had been to him more of a legend than a real fact. The migration thus set up is still in progress, and in England is evidenced by what is known, and also deplored, as the "ribbon" development along our high ways, otherwise the tendency of houses to stretch out unduly along the frontages of the main roads. From a health point of view there is good in this new development, but control is needed to preserve the amenities of the countryside. And if care is not exercised by the highway authorities main trunk roads will become long drawn out suburbs instead of high speed roadways and much of the expected advantage will be lost.