Motordom

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 15

Motordom

by

Chassis

MAKE ROAD SAFETY WEEK A HABIT

Some Points For The Practice Of Good Driving

«c arc nearing the end of this special Road Safety Meek. An appeal is made to ail motorists to make this week the start ot a habit, th, ?.* bit of always acting safely, with care and tolerance, on the streets and highways. Here, from the “New Zealand Motor Woi id, are die Wirdhial rules, the application of which determine the good safe driver, which you ought to be not only this week but every week of the year.

In the first place you will plan votir tour ahead, then you will prepare your car so that it is in firstclass condition, without any doubts. Tvres, windscreen-wiper, steering, brakes, lights, and the various mechanical components necessary to efficient, smooth, trouble-free running will be attended to.

quences of a driving fault on your Part. .. You will adjust your driving habits and speed to meet a weather change because you appreciate that frictional resistance between tyres and road is lessened in wet weather when water on a paved road becomes a dangerous lubricant for tyres. It your speed is 10 miles an hour faster than the car ahead you will require six seconds to pass it. and in six seconds two vehicles approaching each other 200 yards apart will meet. Thus, never attempt to overtake and pass another vehicle if there is a vehicle approaching within at least 250 yards. if vou must halt you will always pull in to the side of the road out of the lane of traffic. Lights will bo dipped when vehicles approach at nighttime. You will travel slower at night than in the daytime.

Your ear will not be overloaded, the driver’s seat will not be cramped. You will start as early as possible to avoid the later congestion: and you will set an easy schedule so that vou carry out the primary purpose of motoring, which is pleasurable travel in absolute safety. You will observe and obey all speed signs, and the caution signs erected to warn you.

There will be displayed by you tolerance, patience, calm judgment, courtesy and consideration.

You will not cut in on other traffic and so create a risk.

You will not drive a long distance after a day’s work, nor set out on a long journey without having bad sufficient sleep. Fatigue is an enemy of safe driving. You will not mix alcohol with your driving. You will use the compression ot your engine as a braking aid on descents which deserve it. You will change down for safety. Though you can do “anything” in top you will drop into second just for safety on a steepish climb.

You will keep as far as practicable to the left, knowing that you are not entitled to half the roadway, but only sufficient of it to allow you to advance in safety. You will appreciate that at. oO_miles an hour you are advancing at 45 feet a second. Halve your miles an hour and add it to the rate of miles an hour to know the feet a second. You will know that at 20 miles an hour, with good brakes on a goodsurfaced road, it takes about 30 leet to stop a car after the brakes are used, without allowing for reaction time. You will know that for speeds up to 25 miles an hour, with mental reaction included, it will require twice the figures of your speed in feet a second to pull up; and for speeds from 30 miles upward, three times your speed in feet a second to hall. It will be known to you that the stopping ability of your car depends on the frictional resistance 'between your tyres and the road surface. J.he brakes merely lock the wheels; they do not stop it of themselves. Therefore the tyres must 'be beyond suspicion, front, rear and spare. Old tyres should be on the rear because blowouts hare worse results on the front wheels, because braking has been “stepped up” on the front wheels, and because of steering safety. _ You will give cleag and distinct hand signals always, and you will consult your rearview mirror frequently. You will assert no rights you may think you have on the road, therefore you will act safely always in the circumstances, ever-changing as they’ ate on the roads. You appreciate that the right-hand rule at intersections is a rule of convenience depending on you for its safe interpretation. Your warning device should be that and nothing more. It is an emergency gadget. The sounded horn does not confer any rights on you in the matter of reasonable speed or risk-taking. It will not save you from the conse-

If the lights of an oncoming car trouble your sight you will slow down and not travel at unretarded speed into the darkness beyond the approaching car. You will apply the half-distance rule; that is, never travel at a speed which will prevent you from stopping in half the distance of clear road ahead.

You will obey all traffic lights, show due caution at level crossings, treat pedestrians and cyclists with courtesy, care and patience, no matter what their faults.

You will know the absolute rights of pedestrians on authorised crossings.

You will halt to the rear of trams which are stopped or about to be stopped at a tram stop. Sheep, cattle, horses and other animals will be shown the kindness expected of everyone toward dumb creatures. You will slacken speed, and not cause them alarm.

You will protect, the children, even if they play in the streets, and you will drive with extreme care along the roads near their playgrounds, or the resorts where they are congregated. They are happy children.

You will coneentrale on your driving; you will see that your windscreen is always clear, even on tour when dust or rain may interfere with visibility.

Your attention while ar. the wheel will be directed at. the faithful discharge of your important individual responsibility of meeting your obligations as a good driver.