OVERTAKING CARS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21631, 15 November 1935, Page 10

OVERTAKING CARS

SAKETY FIRST MESSAGE I

The duties devolving on the drivers of ears overtaking and being overtaken, arc not generally appreciated by many motorists, says the latest safety first message of the Automobile Association (Canterbury). Inc. It is not unusual for a driver to speed up when another driver is trying to pass, and it is not unusual for a driver to pass and cut right across in front; of the car overtaken. The regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act define the duties of drivers as follows: "Every driver of a motor vehicle shall, when overtaking another vehicle, signal by use of the warning instrument, his desire to pass the vehicle being overtaken, and thereupon it shall j be the duty of the driver of the latter j vehicle to move to his left, if the movement is possible with safely, so as to allow the overtaking vehicle a reasonable space in which 10 pass. After the signal has been given the driver of the vehicle being overtaken shall not increase his speed until the overtaking vehicle has had a reasonable opportunity to pass and draw clear of the overtaken vehicle. "Except at controlled intersections, every driver of a motor-vehicle shall, when overtaking another vehicle other than a tram, pass on his right side of the overtaken vehicle, and shall not then move into the line of passage of the other vehicle until clear from it by at least 18 feet." It is well that motorists should know what is expected of them in the mat> ters mentioned, as they have a very important bearing on road safety all the year round, but particularly in the touring season, when traffic is denser, and the risks in passing other vehicles are increased. It is proper, too, to remember that the rule is as equally applicable to the city as to driving on Jhe open highway,