How Good A Driver Are You?

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 9

How Good A Driver Are You?

This is the seventh article in a series prepared by the Transport Department to show that it often takes two drivers to make an accident. The department’s records show that the situations dealt with in these articles frequently result in accidents.

The situation: Smith was just reaching the top of a long winding hill and travelling at about 25 miles an hour. He was entering the last bend before the road opens out into a long flat straight when Jones, coming from the opposite direction, swung around the corner a little too fast and collided with Smith. Jones had not lost control of his car, but measurements taken afterwards showed that he had drifted two feet over the centre line, while Smith was on the correct side of the line, although only just so. What Do You Think? (1) What was Jones's fault? (2) Could Smith have done anything to avoid this accident? The Answers: (1) Jones was obviously at fault for taking the corner too fast. His speed should not only have been slow enough to enable him to stay within his own lane, but

should also have given him a margin in case the road surface was slippery. (2) Smith could probably have avoided this accident by keeping further to his left. A skilful driver would do this also to increase his visibility around the curve.

Care With the Hammer.— Often it is necessary to jar loose a tight-fitting part such as a wheel hub by striking the end of the shaft. Don’t use a steel hammer for this without interposing a brass or copper drift, or use a block or mallet of hardwood instead of a hammer. This will prevent battering the end of the shaft and destroying the thread.