GOOD DRIVING

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 47, 24 February 1934, Page 17

GOOD DRIVING

j AN AMERICAN'S RULES

Credited with having driven 1,500,000 miles in fifteen years, an American, J^ ;H. Greenleaf,, the • operator of <■. cars used .by a big.tire manufacturing company for testing out,its products under all conditions met with in road travel, has drawn up a series of rules which he recommends motorists everywhere to observe for safe driving.: Good brakes, propqrly adjusted", he places first as the most important part of a car from a safety standpoint. Mechanically, good treads he places

Most accidents, however, he attributes to the human factor. Ho'insists that every driver should indicate '■■ his intention^ of making a . turn at least 100 ft. before turning, as omission of this^simple precaution helps to cause accutGiits. More accidents, he believes aro caused by passing other cars on curves-or near tho tops of hUls than from any other cause. Many accidents also result from drivers not r getting (jnough rest and falling asleep >at thi steering wheel. ■.-,?-;-; His rules are:• — ,■■ ■ ■: 1. Have good brakes at all times. --.Signal intention of making a turn 100 ft before making. " : 3. Never., pass 'a. car on,a curve or near the top of a hill:

■4. Stay .-on;-inside of centre line on curves and hills.. .

5. Be alert at-intersections. Slow u?-el£ n-if y°u have the right-of-way. C. When approaching car has blinding lights, slow up-and hug your side of tho road.

7. Allow yourself freedom of movement. It is taking a chance to drive with four in the front seat.

8. bee that your tires have treadsthat will grip the.road should you have to stop quickly, or drive on wet, slippery pavements. .. ..■'.'. '.'

9. Never jam on brakes, as one may lock and cause your car to turn over. 10. Get a good sleep before starting on a long drive. If you get "tlopey" or sleepy while driving, "stop and rest, if only for fifteen minutes.

11. Always give the other follow the benefit of the doubt. - ,:

12. To make good time drivd steadily and not too fast.

Host vehicle accidents result- from some driver... failure ■ but unfortunatelj-, few drivers: realise their own shortcomings, and. having complied with tho' requirements of licensing, ■ make no further effort to educate themselves in the duties dr obligations of: a driver. To qualify as a good driver one should thoroughly understand tho rules of tho road, be endowed with a fair measure of courtesy and old-fashioned "horsesense," and be a part of tho vehicle when tho hands close on the controls. Probably courtesy and common sense are the most important, but highway courtesy is a rarity, and even common sense may fail when knowledge of what should be done is lacking and no time to think it over is available. Tho first duty of an owner, whether ho drives or not, and of a driver, whether he., owns the car or not, is t o ' assure' himself that ho or any other, who is to dnvo the-vehicle, fulfils tho requirements of a good driver, as defined'above, and is physically fit for tie work in'olved.