CENTRE OF THE ROAD

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21985, 8 January 1937, Page 6

CENTRE OF THE ROAD

FAULT OF MANY DRIVERS SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC CRITICISED ADVICE GIVEN IN SAFJSTY MESSAGE “During the Christmas and New Year period the application of the regulation speed limit of 30 miles an hour brought into bold relief an old and easily corrected fault of many motorists, the habit of hugging the centre of the road,” says the latest safety message' of the Automobile Association, Canterbury (Inc.). “This new and uniform speed limit makes it vitally important that all slow-moving traffic should keep strictly to the extreme left of usable roadway. It was obvious on the highways throughout this ‘district, and the , remark is no doubt applicable to highways in other parts of the Dominion, that many drivers have yet to develop the habit of keeping strictly tc the left. Obviously far too many of the drivers,never consult the rear view mirror, but are content to drive along with side-curtains up or windows closed, without a thought for faster overtaking traffic. . .“Hugging the, centre line of roadway is not a serious driving fault; it one is driving at a reasonable speed and constantly refers to the rear view mirror, but even then the extreme left is 1 the proper place to’ be particularly in view gf the fast speeds and acceleration of which the modern motorvehicle is capable. Overtaking or approaching, traffic, should not be endangered through any driver taking up more of the roadway than is necessary for his safe advancement. On many roads heavy traffic built up the shingle into ridges and through the action of thoughtless middle-of-the-road drivers, others in attempting to pass were placed in difficulties in the shingle.; “All motorists must realise that the concession of comparative freedom granted under the new speed regulation must not be abused, and the slow driver ixpist. realise that he has a very important part to play in ensuring safety and the efficient working of the regulation now in force.”