“Defensive” turning

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33251, 14 June 1973, Page 16

“Defensive” turning

Sir, —I recently completed a defensive driving course. It was prepared by the Ministry of Transport, which trains all instructors. In the course workbook it states: “Keep wheels straight while waitingto make a right turn, so that, if someone rams you, you won’t be knocked into the path of oncoming traffic.” On Friday, May 25, at 5.10 p.m. I was travelling down Manchester Street, and signalled to turn right into Cashel Street. A traffic officer on point duty stopped me on the intersection. My wheels were straight but the officer signalled me to turn half-way, beside him. Perhaps I obstructed cars behind me: but I was still an obstruction, because I could not turn further than the centre line. Do the Ministry not practice what they teach? Or did I just meet one officer who is behind the times?—Yours, etc., M. P. DON. May 30, 1973, [This letter was referred to Mr A. Goldsmith, Christchurch district superintendent of the road transport division of the Ministry of Transport, who replies as follows: “The instruction given is good defensive driving tactics and should be practised when and where it is practicable to do so. However, when an intersection is being controlled, the traffic officer is required to regulate and control the traffic in such a way that ensures a free and unimpeded vehicle flow with a minimum

amount of traffic congestion. During peak city traffic conditions the circumstances which prevail at the time the request for the right-hand turn is made will dictate the action to be taken by the officer. The officer, to allow the turn at a time when it is not safe to break the line of opposing traffic, can only draw the vehicle into a position under his control where it will cause the least obstruction for following traffic and allow the turn to be completed without causing delay to other main traffic volumes. The alternative would be to direct the driver of the vehicle straight through and not to allow the turn. The speed of vehicles through a controlled intersection at peak traffic periods is comparatively slow and the risk of an accident of the type referred to by the correspondent is minimal.”]