SPEED APPROACHING INTERSECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 159, 2 April 1937, Page 15

SPEED APPROACHING INTERSECTIONS

Many Drivers Taking

Chances

On the part of many motorists there seems to be a growing tendency to fail to slacken speed when approaching intersections. This tendency is not confined by any means to any particular class of driver, as private motorists, motor-cyclists, and drivers of taxis and trade vehicles have been noted in the act of disobeying the safe and reasonable limits of speed placed on vehicles at intersections. The use of too great a speed approaching intersections does not. assist the motorist in the application of the off-side rule, and frequently drivers who obey the speed limits strictly, and are entitled to the advantage of the off-side rule, are placed at a disadvantage by a driver who is in a hurry to get on to the intersection first. Another unsatisfactory feature of Intersection traffic is the habit which some drivers have of overtaking and passing other vehicles close to intersections. Obviously, this is a very dangerous procedure, and the law is very definite that motor-vehicles should not attempt to overtake and pass each other close to intersections. Motorists should slacken speed when approaching Intersections, and be prepared to wait their turn in getting across, instead of. stealing ahead of another vehicle with the risk of causing confusion or something worse. There are not a few taxi-drivers in Wellington who make a habit of overtaking and passing other vehicles entering an intersection. It might seem smart, but no amount of hurry can justify placing others in a position of danger.

REVERSE RUNNING How many motorists realise that i there are circumstances in which an | engine will run backward at consider- I able speed, and that should the starter I be engaged while this is occurring, I damage to spindle, drive, or housing ■ is almost certain to eventuate? For instance, an overchoked engine will not fire readily, and the exhaust system fills with rich mixture. Now suppose the choke or mixture control is released sufficiently to cause the motor to fire, a grave risk of the motor backfiring exists, especially if the ignition is not retarded. Using the mixture in the exhaust system, quite high backward speed may be attained and a carburetter fire may follow. AU that can be done is to switch off immediately. By all means do not touch the starter switch while this reverse running is { going on. The abrupt indrawing effect I causes violent shock to the gear teeth, armature shaft, spring, and other parts, and breakage is inevitable. Another point is to be firm with the starter pedal or button. Carefully avoid just giving it a touch, because some carburetter fires have been caused in this way. Also strong starter effort is capable of resisting a backfire, even though the motor will be slowed down noticeably. An overchoked condition is often corrected by cranking with the accelerator hard down, especially in the case of a down-draught carburetter.