INCONSIDERATE DRIVING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 January 1927, Page 15

INCONSIDERATE DRIVING.

RESTRAINT NEEDED. ADVENT OF FOUR-WHEEL BRAKES. The increase of inconsiderate chiving since the introduction of four-wheel brakes is just what many ieared would be the sequel to tho discovery of the greater safety obtained by braking all lour wheels simultaneously (states a writer in the London h ield). Introduced and accepted mainly as a counter skidding device under dangerous load conditions, it has developed into an excuse for driving at speeds in excess of that wh.ich prudence would dictate were only rear-wheel brakes employed and too often also in excess of the speed reasonably safe for the time and place. This excess is not always confined to sheer pace, but is demonstrated by other recklessnesses, such as cutting in and out when there is no other excuse for so doing than the greater command bestowed by fourwheel brakes. The situation gradually is becoming so serious that we must expect drasticaction in some form or other unless more restraint is practised, because tiiere can be little doubt that many of the accidents that daily disfigure the face of motoring are directly due to these malpractices. On© hears of the relatively frequent need to readjust brakes, and complaints are made that they wear out too quickly and fall away in power too suddenly, both indications of over-use for the ordinary purposes of motoring on our roads. The new school of drivers follow the example of the racing brigade, not merely in racing their cars to the extent they consider safe —and are sometimes mistaken —but in depending upon their brakes to avoid collisions and dangers which in nine cases out of ten should not arise. There is far too mufch driving on the horn and on the brakes for the good of motoring or'the safety of the road, and that despite the complaint we ourselves have made that the horn often is inadequately and incorrectly used. The driver who overspeeds, relying on his brake power for safety, also relies on his hooter to an extent justified no doubt by his circumstances, but none the less excessive for any other. The* general, average of driving speeds has gone up since the introduction of four-wheel brakes, not merely on cars so equipped, but on all cars. It is urged that four-wheel brakes cannot be blamed for that, but we are not concerned so much with discovering the source of blame as to secure a better appreciation of the lolly of the proceeding and the need for greater driving restraint.