DANGER OF ANIMALS ON THE ROAD

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 150, 20 March 1936, Page 15

DANGER OF ANIMALS ON THE ROAD

Swerving to Avoid Dogs Is Risky The'natural instinct of almost every motorist is to swerve abruptly and .brake hard in order to avoid a dog which has rushed suddenly in his path, but, unfortunately, such spontaneous good nature sometimes is the cause of serious risk or grave accident, ami often defeats its own ends, since the animal may suddenly halt or dart in another direction.

There can be no dispute about the relative responsibilities. If, without ■endangering other road-users or oneself, it is possible by slowing down, blowing the horn, or swerving, to avoid running over a dog, then it is callous not to take every precaution, but motorists are not called upon to jeopardise human life or “pile up” their ears because of the folly of a domestic animal. Many dogs are sensible in trallie, and will pause at the roadside before crossing, and take immediate notice of a “toot,” but those which rush out and snap at tyres or tear wildly about the roads are not deserving of any exhibition of sympathy which involves risk bo human beings or valuable property.

A sharp swerve or harsh braking on a slippery road might be disastrous, and in such circumstance the proper course is to steer straight for the animal so that I l>e ear might puss over it and it is not struck by Wie wheels When mobs of sheep or cattle are met with the motorist’s obligation is to slow down at once, and stop if necessary until the drover has cleared a path for him, and he is also obliged by law and the dictates of common pidilness to bo specially careful when meeting or overtaking restive horses.