DRIVERS’ OBLIGATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 July 1927, Page 11

DRIVERS’ OBLIGATIONS

RADIO ADDRESS. 'The rsponsibilities of the motorist under the city by-law and. Motor follicle's Act were the subject of a lecture broadcasted by radio last week by Mr it. E. Cbampta.loup, service officer of the Auckland Automobile Association. “The habit of hurrying grows on one after many repetitions without accident, and the driver is lulled into a iVe© sense of absolute control and safety,’ said Mr Ghainptaloup. “One of the most important and least observed regulations is the ‘off-side’ rule,” he continued. “Minor collisions would become negligible if tins rule was universally observed at intersections. The ■off-side’ is on your right- hand, and whenever a vehicle approaches on your right you must give way. Similarly traffic*on vour left must give way to you. The ojd system of bluff at street corners .should be a thing of the past, and the man who bluff’s to-day has his bluff called by a man in blue with* a blue paper,” said Mr Champtalou.p. Referring to speed limits, Mr Ohamiptaloup pointed out that a car travelling at 30 m.p.h. requires 54ft ill which to pull ire with four-wheeled brakes. The stopping and turning .signals were important and unless the signs were

decisive, traffic dangers were not reduced. Occasionally drivers in dosed cars would project a hand a few inches beyond the glass sides and rely on a following driver interpreting their intentions. “The A.A.A. advocates no dimming of headlights and this is borne out by the magistrates,” said the .service officer. AN o light should lie so dazzling as to cause danger to oncoming traffic, and if a driver flashes a spotlight in your face for failing to dim, spare no troubV .to secure the number of the offending car and report the matter to the police. The trend of modern traffic is to get there a.s fast as possible without regard for other drivers. In traffic jams everyone creeps into tlie available spaces to get past a cornea' a little earlier. A little later these impatient drivers will be passed dawdling along seeming’y with hours to spare. ! ’ “The motorists of Auckland are fortunate in having their traffic department conducted in a broad-minded manner. and there are hundreds of drivers who owe thanks to the staff for a frieMillv word of advice in place of prosecution,” said the lecturer. A plea, for the pedestrian was made bv Mr Champtaloup. who urged vehicle drivers to show consideration in wet weather by avoiding “111© kerbs-. He also offered a word of criticism of the conduct of drivers who adopt the practice of approaching within a few feet, of a pedestrian and then .sounding the horn raucously.

Aboard the 11. M.S. “ Tamaroa, ’ ’ which loft 'Wellington on April 9, is a well-known Wellington business man who is particular about his personal appearance. It was mentioned by one of his travellers that the gentleman in question had taken with him eight large bottles of Q-tol for shaving and other toilet purposes.—Advt.