SAFETY FIRST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 275, 2 September 1939, Page 9

SAFETY FIRST.

CYCLISTS SHOULD HAND SIGNAL. “One of the principal causes of misunderstanding between cyclists and motorists is the neglect of cyclists to give hand signals of intended change of direction,” says the latest road safety message of the Automobile Association, Canterbury, Inc. “The exigencies of modern traffic demand the complete elimination of guesswork as between one vehicle user and another, and it does not seem to be fully realised by cyclists that thought reading has no place at all in traffic safety. iProperlv-giyen hand signals are the hall mark of the courteous, thoughtful, safe cyclist as well as of the motorist. “If, well before a cyclist changes his course of progress, he gives clear and unmistakeable hand signals of his intention he will be showing that he is alert, that he values his safety, and that he is eager to co-opeirate with following traffic. Even if there is no following traffic nearby, the small effort of giving a hand signal should not be overlooked, even if only to confirm a habit. It is a safety precaution worth diligent practice because of the speed of the modern motor-car. A cyclist travelling away from an overtaking car should not take risks in changing direction because lie imagines that the overtaking car is too far away to require a hand signal. “Hand signals should not be given hastily or perfunctorily by cyclists, and when a signal has been given the cyclist should not dawdle, hesitate' or otherwise act indecisively. Give the signal, clearly, unmistakeahly and make the change of direction as smartly as possible. “Many cyclists never give any other hand signal hut that indicating a right-hand turn. Certain intersections where there are several converging poads demand a left-hand turning signal, or the straight ahead hand signal. Where the cyclist determines that his progress may cause confusion or guesswork to traffic from any direction he or she should give hand signal indication of intention. “And hand signals should !>?• given by one cyclist to another as well as for the benefit of motorists, as presentday traffic conditions and control will not admit of any ducking, dodging, or finesse so far as the cyclists' are concerned, between themselves, or in relation to other vehicles on the roads. The days of cycling aerobatics on roads are certainly over. “There is no room in our thoroughfares for the exercise of guesswork by any unit of traffic. A plain, simple, easily-applied code of hand signals has boon' devised for the safety of cyclists as well as of motorists, and any neglect to use those signals reveals carelessness and a, disregard of a cardinal safety precaution. “Cyclists should remember that hand signals will be appreciated by pedestrTans in certain circumstances particularly near intersections. Because of their vulnerability cyclists should know and apply all safety rules first as a protection for themselves, and second as a contribution to the safety of others.”