[Publib] Current Flap

[Backwage at aol.com]

Regarding mud flaps:
 
Ever wonder why they exist?  Or who decides such things?  SAE  (Society of 
Automotive Engineers) standard J682 provides the guidelines for  "Rear Wheel 
Splash and Stone Throw Protection."  This is not a federal  standard, though most 
states and some localities have adopted it, incorporating  it into the 
vehicle code.  
 
J682 provides that mud flaps are required if the ratio of the bottom  of the 
trailer bed to the length from the bottom of the wheel to the end of the  
trailer is greater than 1:3.  Thus, if the bottom of the frame, at the end  of the 
trailer is, say, 25", then the center of the rear wheels must be more  than 
75" from the back of the trailer. If it is less than 75," then you need  flaps 
of a length to restrict the ratio to the 1:3 number.
 
I've lost a windshield to truck-tossed gravel, but that's nothing compared  
to the fun of having a one-inch stone hit your motorcycle helmet or your  
unprotected ankle.  Somebody do the math:  a one-ounce rock traveling  backward at 
about 30 mph meets human flesh proceeding forward at 75 mph.   Ouch.  At those 
speeds, a grasshopper feels like a bullet.  
 
Personally, I love mud flaps.  Maybe the ALA could issue some with  
appropriate messages?
 
M. McGrorty



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