INCREASE OF TRAFFIC

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21807, 12 June 1936, Page 18

INCREASE OF TRAFFIC

Difficulties of City Driving NEED FOR CIRCUMSPECTION AND ABILITY A motorist does not have to spend too many hours a day at the wheel to realise that the motor traffic of Christchurch is very rapidly becoming heavier, and that it is high time that a certain number of drivers met with on the streets were impressed with the importance of driving circumspectly, and giving hand signals so definitely that there is no mistaking their meaning.

Any motorist can call to mind in his own experience scraped mudguards and locked bumper bars caused by o filer drivers pulling out from behind a vehicle they wish to pass just as they in turn are about to be passed, by people suddenly turning right with insufficient or no warning at all. and •by an exhibition of timidity and indecision, which leaves doubt in the minds of other drivers on what the motorist’s intention happens to be. Then, again, there is little doubt that a good deal of what is generally considered bad driving is the fault of manufacturers of modern cars in making the bonnets so high that the left hand mudguard is invisible to the driver, so that many people, largely drivers whose experience is so limited that they have not yet learned to gauge distances with any accuracy, are completely in the dark about their actual distance away from a- car being overtaken, and swing so wide that they seriously incommode approaching traffic and otherwise take up far more room than they need and are entitled to. That is why those little wire indicators with a coloured disc at the lop which are screwed to the outside edge of the mudguard are becoming so popular. It is considered, however, that manufacturers very soon will have to adopt designs which give a much better view forward and to each side than many cars of the present day do. The Human Element However, these things, although important, are rather beside the point. It is the man at the wheel who, in the last analysis, is responsible for minor traffic mishaps, and the plea is made for greater consideration for other people by avoiding sudden departures from a straight line, more care in giving hand signals, and greater concentration on driving generally. Because city traffic is now so difficult, it is considered that if those people who offend by inconsiderate driving, by “cutting in,” and giving perfunctory hand signals, would curb their impatience and pay more attention to ordinary courtesies, traffic driving would be much more pleasant and fewer emergencies would arise. There is another type of driver who makes things very difficult fbr other people. He is the indecisive man, who apparently has such small faith in his own judgment that when a position arises where he has to make up his • mind whether to keep on going or stop to let other drivers pass across his bows, he so tentatively creeps forward inch by inch, gripping the wheel hard and staring with fixed intensity at other traffic, that the drivers of approaching cars have not the foggiest idea of his intentions and traffic around him is demoralised thoroughly in consequence. Be Definite Skill and judgment in traffic driving vary tremendously with different drivers. This is why some (taxidrivers are a good example) sail through the heaviest traffic with confidence and without making a false move, while others, not so used to it, perhaps, become a little bewildered, their judgment is not so sound, and they hang back at an opening another driver would take. The point is, however, that drivers should recognise their limitations, and, knowing them, should always drive in confidence within the limits of their own skill. If any doubt exists about the wisdom of proceeding, they should hold back and wait until they are sure it is safe to go ahead, and in the meantime should have sufficient strength of mind to take no notice whatever of exhibitions of impatience from other motorists and tram drivers as exemplified by impatient blowing of horns and clanging of bells. It is this which flusters many nervous new drivers.

In traffic driving, the golden rules are to concentrate on the job in hand, to drive with caution and consideration for other people, to be cool in emergencies, and, knowing the car is being driven with proper regard for other motorists and pedestrians, to dismiss them utterly irom the mind and refuse to be bluffed by those bullies of the streets who unquestionably exist.

The police in Kansas City wondered why so many parked cars carried red ribbon markers. Investigation showed that this was the car thieves’ method, cf indicating to fellow-robbers their own cars.