Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32178, 23 December 1969, Page 12

Auto Gossip

Taken For Granted When you think about it, there is no doubt that most motorists take certain things for granted to a large extent, and although this is a very understandable .late of affairs, it is one which can have quite drastic consequences. This occurred to me the other day, when I realised that I was having to brake more than usual to come, to rest behind a truck in front of me whenever it stopped, or slowed sharply. After this had happened a couple of times I realised the reason: the truck’s brakelights were not working, so I was having to rely on other indications that it was slowing. Obviously, I was unconsciously in the habit of taking it for granted that the brake lights would show when the vehicle ahead started to slow, and automatically slowing my own car when they appeared. Because no brakelights were appearing, I was that much slower in reacting, and had to brake that much harder. Message Received ; What really got the message across to me was that this was the second time I had experienced this within about three days: the previous occasion, too, was when 1 was travelling behind a truck. I think the experience shows not only how much we tend to drive on automatic reflex and taking things for granted, but also that brakelights are an important warn-; ing. Now that I have been watching myself, I realise my foot automatically lifts off the accelerator and moves to the brake whenever I see brakelights ahead. Normally I am watching the brake-lights of: !a car two or three ahead of | the one immediately in front i of me, but with a large truck I I in front this was not possible. Moral Of The Tale One obvious moral is that one should drop further back behind such a vehicle, so as I to have a better view of the: traffic situation ahead. Another is that it can be dangerous to rely too much on;

automatic response to expected signals. Not that in Christchurch one can rely on direction indications at all, for so many motorists give them too late to.be of any use, or not at all—a fault I would very much like to see the enforcement authorities devote some attention to. But carry the line of thought a little further, and consider how often we motorists take other things for granted. We take it for granted, for instance, that if we have the green light the way will automatically be clear of cross-traffic. We also take it for granted that if cross-traffic is controlled by a stop or give-way sign it will in fact stop or give way to us. We assume that because we have the right-of-way, the driver of a vehicle in a side-street has. seen us, correctly judged the speed of our approach, and has decided to give way. Nothing Certain The correct conclusion from all this is that in driving nothing is certain, and

nothing can be taken for granted. One cannot assume that other vehicles will give way, that they are in fact travelling at the same speed as we are, that other drivers have seen us, that their signals mean exactly what they say, or even that their vehicles’ stop-lights will show as they apply the brake. It all comes back to the basic rule that driving is a full-time job requiring constant concentration and altertness. A corollary is that one should always leave a margin for error—just in case the road is not clear around the corner, in case the other driver has not seen us, and even in case our brakes fail when we are roaring up to that slow corner, or hurtling down that hill. Leaving a margin for error—our errors and the errors of others —is a good way to stay out of trouble. Quote of the Week “If every occupant of a moving motor vehicle wore a seat belt at all times, up to 1 seven out of every 10 road jdeaths would be prevented. Ilf your family car is not fit : ted with seat belts, you should see that it is."—The New South Wales Minister of Transport (Mr Milton Morris).