Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30453, 29 May 1964, Page 9

Auto Gossip

by

Elbow Evil Now the colder weather is coming we are at last seeing fewer drivers with their elbows sticking out the window. This is a very bad practice, and is often • the hallmark of a bad driver. It usually precludes proper control of the car in an emergency, and betrays a very casual attitude to the whole business -of driving. Further, it endangers the driver—more than one person in New Zealand has suffered very severe arm injury through just such a habit. In some parts of the world driving with an arm out the window will earn a substantial fine. Gutter Grippers But the worst manifestation of the fellow who likes to drive half out the window is the gutter gripper—the fellow who seems to be in doubt about the security of his car roof, and so holds it on with one hand. The greatest danger with this sort of bad driving is that other drivers often think a signal is being given—either to stop or turn left—and the result is considerable confusion. Illuminations Moves are now being made to improve the street lighting in the city, and this is to be applauded. In many streets, even close to the centre of the city, the lighting is at present very poor. Hereford street and Montreal street are two examples of poor lighting. This can cause additional danger for all road users, and particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

A.J.P.

Cyclists At this time of the year cyclists with no lights on their machines are a particular menace. A traffic officer stationed in Manchester street, in the early evening would soon find himself swamped, for on most evenings after work the cycle with correct lighting is the exception rather than the rule. Unlit cycles have been a very bad problem in Christchurch for years, and an all-out effort to remedy the situation is long overdue. Meanwhile parents could help by making sure their children have lights on their cycles and always use them when out at night or in the evening. By so doing they might easily save a life. * Steamers It was fascinating to watch the Stanley Steamer moving aboiit at Ruapuna Park a few weeks ago, and it was uncanny to see it move silently along with only the scrunch of tyres and the squeaking of the springs betraying its presence. In a way it is a pity steam cars died out, but as one observer remarked, “... they sure would be death on pedestrians.” But steam cars might teach some of Christchurch’s uncontrolled pedestrians some caution; they might even teach us—for we are all pedestrians at some stage of the day—to use the crossings, which is more than the authorities seem to have been able to do. Insulting Today, however, to have your vehicular pride and joy referred to as a “steam car” is thought rather insulting. I recall a car rally a year or so ago in which one competitor burst a radiator hose, and arrived at the finish many hours late only by stopping amid clouds of steam every few miles to replenish the radiator. Somebody offended him by placing an “s” in front of the first word on a “team car” sticker fastened to his car. It may have been revenge or perhaps coincidence, but later another competitor’s Mini was seen with “Supercart” written across the dust on its boot.

Quote of the Week “The theory that a good driver drives automatically is a fallacy. To the uninitiated he may appear to, but the truth is that by continually concentrating and thinking, he has raised driving to an art . . .

concentration is the keystone of all good driving.”—From “Roadcraft”, the British police drivers' manual.