BENDS IN ROADS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 34, 9 August 1939, Page 5

BENDS IN ROADS

ADVICE TO MOTORISTS

"Far too many motorists indulge in the very dangerous practice of failing to keep as close as practicable to the left when negotiating a bend or corner, and the practice cannot be too roundly condemned," says the latest road safety message of the Automobile Association (Wellington).

"On a corner or bend where visibility is restricted there is the everpresent danger of collision with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, and many accidents have been caused through the risk taken in such a position, particularly if both drivers have the bad habit of straddling the centre line.

"This type of accident usually has very serious consequences because the driver who fails to keep to the left of the centre and as near as practicable to his left side of the road is invariably driving at an excessive speed. Regulation 14 provides that 'Every driver of a motor vehicle shall, at all times keep the vehicle as far as practicable to his left of any longitudinal line or lines on the roadway marked at corners, bends, or turnings by local authorities for the direction of traffic' Such centre lines should not be overdriven by motorists. On many bends or corners where centre lines have not been provided and the visibility is restricted for any considerable distance ahead the driver should reduce his speed so that he will have no trouble in bringing his vehicle to a stop or hi avoiding any oncoming vehicle whose driver may be careless. Thers is always the additional possibility of some obstacle being on the roadway rouond a bend. It may be a pedestrian, wandering cattle, a halted car, or a flock of sheep.

"The importance of keeping as far as practicable to the left at all times is accentuated on corners, particularly where visibility is restricted. Moreover, if one does not keep strictly to the left and does not regulate his speed to meet the circumstances it may be found that the road surface may contribute readily to side-slip, a skid, and eventual loss of control. Many natural forces beyond the ability of drivers to counteract come into play when a vehicle is driven fast round a bend. Considerable stresses are placed on tyres, wheels, steering, and motor vehicle bodies.

Wise motorists, make sure that always they are masters of the situation by driving at a safe speed and in the correct position on the road to avoid any trouble which may be coming towards them."