MOTORISTS AND SIGNALS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 131, 30 November 1926, Page 8

MOTORISTS AND SIGNALS

(To the Editors

Sir, —Recently one of our Magistrates, in giving a decision regarding an accident in which a motor-lorry and cycle were involved, said that it was not necessary for a driver to make a sign when moving away from the pavement if intending to go straight ahead. Personally, I cannot agree with this dictum, as I think it is most essential, in crowded and narrow streets, for a, driver to make a signal in order to warn the following motorist of his intention.

It is very seldom indeed that one can go straight ahead when leaving the pavement, as nine times out of ttfn there will bo a bicycle, motor-cycle, or some other object in front, and in

swerving slightly to avoid these one may out across the following vehicle and thus cause an accident, which could quite easily be avoided were a signal given. A few days ago I stopped at a shop in a narrow street, and when I started away very slowly, without giving a signal, a gentleman (?) who was following, or rather trying to pass me, gave vent to a' volley of bad language which would not have disgraced an . Australian builooky. I felt somewhat overwhelmed for a second, but retained sufficient presence of mind to take his number for future reference. After this incident, I am more than ever a firm believer in making a signal, even when intending to go straight ahead.—l am, etc., DIURA.