DANGEROUS HABIT

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVIII, Issue 66, 20 August 1937, Page 2

DANGEROUS HABIT

FAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT OF

PASSING

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION'S MESSAGE.

"Not a few motorists are falling into an extremely dangerous habit insofar as overtaking traffic is concerned," says the latest safety message of the Automobile Association (Canterbury), Incorporated.

"The habit referred to is that of increasing- the speed of one's vehicle when an overtaking driver has given warning of his intention or desire to move past. The regulations very wisely and explicitly set down that a driver of a motor vehicle, when warned of the act of overtaking by another driver, must not increase his speed. Yet there are drivers who, from a mistaken "sense of what is safe, proper and courteous, deliberately increase their speed and hold their course.

"The result is that the overtaking driver, having judged that he has under the conditions existing a safe passage-way, finds a position of danger created by the inconsiderate action of the other driver. It is quite conceivable that an accident may be caused in such circumstances, particularly on narrow roads, or roads which carry much shingle or are otherwise badly surfaced.

"Failure to yield the right of passing is the plain mark of discourtesy in a motorist. Not only should the overtaken driver not increase his speed, but he should, if he is not already there, pull over to the extreme left of useable roadway.

"Fortunately it is not a common fault, but it has happened that drivers about to be overtaken have actually taunted overtaking drivers in no unmistakable fashion, and instances are not unknown of drivers speeding up from time to time, then slowing down, but denying another driver from carrying out his wish of getting ahead. When that sort of unsportsmanlike behaviour is practised on a dusty road the effect can be well imagined. Any driver who behaves as indicated deserves the close attention of an inspector.

"There are few drivers of that type on our roads, but there are many who deserve this reminder of their obligations to overtaking drivers. No driver should use obstructive tactics toward another. Irritating actions are productive of reprisals from a certain type of motorist with trouble for some one or two eventually. And all through the failure of one driver to concede someone else a small measure of road-using courtesy."