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PC hoped to make drivers see light

17/ 6/2006

ROAD safety has always been a high priority for the police and one Rochdale officer's invention helped drivers to see the light.

In July 1930 an unusual device could be seen on the side of a number of cars.

The 'Shamoganee' signalling indicator was the brainchild of Constable R Wilson.

After years of experience on traffic duty PC Wilson, of Clovelly Street, Rochdale, was convinced that the increasing traffic volume called for the replacement of hand signals with a device which was efficient, simple - and cheap to make.

With a standardised code of signals for all drivers, he believed it would lessen the chance of accidents and so increase safety on the roads.

PC Wilson argued that some motorists drove too fast and gave insufficient hand signals while hand signals were difficult to see at night and during bad weather drivers were inclined not to use them because of the inconvenience and discomfort.

His answer to the problem had come about as a result of six years of experiments. The indicator was a dual disc type, operating a pointer during the day and coloured lights at night.

It was operated from an attachment on the dashboard which was connected to the indicator by mitre wheels and a transmission rod.

During the day the white pointer on the black disc would be up for forward, down for stop or slow down and right and left for their respective turns.

At night a red and blue light would indicate forward, amber stop or slow down, violet right turn and green left turn.

Fitting it to the car was said to be a simple operation which could be 'carried out by anyone with a few tools'.

Designed and patented by PC Wilson, it was taken up by Messrs Fielden and Company.

You won't see many about today - but they were an important first step.