DRIVING ON THE TRAM TRACKS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 6

DRIVING ON THE TRAM TRACKS

| “MIDDLE OF THE ROAD” MOTORISTS I DANGERS STRESSED IN SAFETY MESSAGE “Whether many motorists are afraid to keep strictly to the left-hand side of the road, or whether they are so discourteous that they do not want tc»( the fact remains that the ‘middle-of-I the-road’ driver is becoming a positive nuisance on city streets and a danger on the open highway,” says the latest safety message from the Automobile I Association (Canterbury), incorpori ated. i “In the cities far too many motorists are developing the careless habit of j always travelling bn the tram lines, I whether or not there is room on the extreme left. This habit, particulaily I if the tram-track driver is in no particular hurry, causes congestion of traffic and considerable irritation to following drivers, who may be Provoked linally into taking the dangeious chance of cutting m. or these drivers, too, overlook the fact that a tram Inay be overtaking them. If there is room off the rails there is no reason why drivers should persist in monopolising the roadway. It is an extremely bad driving practice, which seems to be increasing. “In city streets where cars are parked by the roadside it is the duty of all drivers to move along as smartly as safety permits. At no time, all things being equal, is it good driving to ignore following traffic. Moreover, much of the clanging of tram gongs could be eliminated if more drivers realised that slow tram-track driving is a nuisance. “Out on the open highway, where there are no tram tracks, the motorist who hugs the crown or middle of the road, particularly at a slow speed, is a dangerous nuisance. There are two places for the slow driver. One is on the extreme left of usable roadway; the other is at home in his garage if he has not the sense to make reasonable, safe, and proper use of the roads. “Slow drivers have more need to consult their rear-view mirrors than fast drivers, though it is incumbent on every motorist to know at all times what traffic is following him. “And when one knows that a car is overtaking one. and a horn has been sounded from the rear, it is dangerous, discourteous, and a breach of the law to speed up so as to prevent the other driver from overtaking and passing. There is a duty, too, on the overtaking driver to overtake only when it is safe to do so. It is dangerous, and a breach of the law, to cut across the front of the car overtaken. “Speed limits are being rigorously applied and traffic has been showed down. It is essential therefore that the slowing-down process be applied reasonably by the strict application of that first rule of keeping to the left of usable roadway.”

Grease does not harm a cellulose Igcquer finish on a cpr, but it should not be left on for any length of time. It can bo removed easily by washing the car with a mixture of about one pint of kerosene to four gallons of water. Afterwards wash down with dean water before drying with a chamois.

Traffic signals have been installed at Washington Airport to control both automobile and air traffic. The aeroplane rynway crosses a main rpad, and the aeroplanes taking off wait for the green light at the crossroads before they move, while at the same time a rear -light stops the oncoming crossroad traffic.