Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 11

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

Anti-Boredom Keeping passengers, particularly juveniles, from becoming bored on a long trip is often somewhat of a problem, and providing they do not distract the driver, word games are a good idea. They certainly present less chance of distracting the driver than an argument. One long slow trip I know of was enlivened by somebody offering to buy a drink for the person who made the worst pun, while tongue-twisters are also good value. If you happen to have a passenger who handles tongue-twisters with too much ease, try asking him to say rapidly: “Are you copper bottoming, my man? No, I am aluminiuming, mum.” It takes an agile tongue to defeat that one. Traffic Traps Slowly, the public awareness of the dangers and inconveniences of traffic congestion is increasing, but we are still busily building future traffic traps in the newer suburbs and housing developments. This is a problem to which the authorities seem to have paid little attention, or else they have not recognised that it exists. It has not yet started to become pressing, but it almost certainly will. Tortuous If one looks at some of the new housing development suburbs, one finds a few main roads, which are barely of adequate width, surrounded by a tortuous network of extremely narrow streets and crescents. Some of the streets are so narrow that if a car is parked, two others would find it very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to pass. Inadequate It is ridiculous to suggest that these roads are likely to be adequate in the future, when these areas are developed further. Yet more such roads are being built, to the minimum legal width, all the time. These areas show a serious lack of planning, and unless more intelligent interest is taken in them they may be the slums of the future. Footwork It is time urgent attention was given to the pedestrian

problem in Christchurch. Not ' only must pedestrians be ' educated to use the crossings and desist from wandering all over the road, particularly in the Square, but motorists must be educated , to give right of way to pedestrians on crossings, and have the greatest consideration for the young and the elderly. At present, the emphasis is on agility, not courtesy. Co-operation Unless both motorists and pedestrians co-operate with the authorities the problem will not be solved. In addition, consideration should be given to moving some of the uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, nearly all of which are on - corners, to mid-block. Crossings on uncontrolled intersections present the motorist with additional hazards, and he must not only give way to the right, but also watch for pedestrians coming on to. the crossing from the left. Further, if a. motorist stops to give way at a crossing on the far side of the intersection, he is automatically blocking cross traffic. Christchurch is probably the worst major city in New Zealand for pedestrian control. This is partly because, until recently at any rate, there were insufficient traffic officers to both police pedestrians and direct traffic at peak times. Lane Blocks The efforts of the traffic department have greatly reduced the number of double-parked commercial vehicles in the city, for which motorists owe the department a debt of gratitude; But now private motorists themselves are causing bottlenecks at peak times by parking in traffic lanes at intersections, forcing left hand turn traffic into the middle lane. Action is indicated. Eyes Closed? How many of our drivers are dangerously unobservant, and how many accidents does this cause? Police and traffic

authorities are continually having trouble at accident scenes with motorists running over or into the large reflecting or illuminated warning signs. If drivers do not see these, what chance have they of seeing an unlit cycle, a parked car. or a darkclothed pedestrian? Observation Observation is one of the most vital attributes of the competent driver. A driver must observe a situation, evaluate it, and react correctly. He must observe it a considerable distance ahead. On unrestricted roads at 55 miles an hour a driver should observe situations developing more than a quarter of a mile ahead. On suburban streets he must observe about 150 yards ahead. At the same time, in both instances, he must be aware of following traffic, the condition of the road surface, the readings of the dash instruments, and the effect of outside influences, such as side winds. The moral is that driving is a fulltime job, requiring constant concentration. There is no time for arguing, disciplining children, or looking at the scenery. To do these, stop. Service Some service stations really concentrate on giving service, which others give the impressions they could not care less. Six months ago I had my car serviced at an Ashburton garage, and they have gone to the trouble of sending me a reminder, to Christchurch, that my warrant of fitness is nearly due for renewal. I do not know how common this practice is—l have not encountered it before—but it is . an excellent service, and the garage deserves any business ■ it gets from it. I believe a few Christchurch garages . have a similar system, but I doubt if they would bother ’ to remind a “casual” customer ; from 50 miles away.

Quote of the Week

“There is at present little contact or understanding between automobile associations and car clubs. This should not be so, because both are interested in safe and enjoyable motoring.”—Dr. G. B. A. Cowie, of Masterton, at the annual conference of the North Island Motor Union.