PURPOSE OF HAND SIGNALS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 29 November 1930, Page 13

PURPOSE OF HAND SIGNALS

IMPORTANT FACT 1 OVERLOOKED, j Many motorists appear to overlook the fact that the sole purpose of hand signals is to indicate to others their own intentions, and that the driving of other cars behind is no concern ol theirs whatsoever. The only signals really called fori arc those which indicate that the driver is going to do something which may not he expected by those who are following. In other words, the only signal which appears to lx* really needed is to hold out the hand in the proper manner (not just dangle the hand over the side of the car or of the window) when it is intended to pull out to the right, either with the object of passing something or turning down a side road. There is quite a large number of motorists who respond to the sound of the horn _ by a sweep of the hand. This, in itself, is a laudable action as an indication that the warning has been heard; but how much better it would be to keen the hand on the steering Wheel and

| tuoo.l oaiS o-| sb os ibqq 0| ipid for the other to pass. 1 Theoretically, a driver is supposed i jto move his hand up and down when : trailic in front compels him to slow i up, and to hold his hand up. when i forced to stop. If all drivers would realise that the object of hand signals is to indicate their own intentions, and give these .signals correctly, the handling of their cars, as well as general safety, would be improved. box with what is known as a silent third speed, and easy changes of gear ■between third and top. This, by encouraging drivers to use their gears more, ensures better results from the : engines. There is a number of names . for this gear-box, such as “twin-top,” i “alternative-itop,” and l ‘traffic-top.” . i A report states that freewheel devices, have not been followed up as might i well have been expected, but there was a notable instance of the latest form J , which is incorporated in the gear-box. ; The driver can coast at will on top j and second, the gear-box is of the j ;j three-speed type, and just below the! i > steering wheel there is a control by which the free-wheel can be locked.

Another transmission invention which is being offered in a 1931 standard production is a multirange gearbox, which gives six forward speeds and two reverse and includes two silent tops. The alternative gear unit is immediately in front ■of the three speeds and there is no auxiliary gearing outside the main box; Dog clutches are used for the engagement of the alternative gear. The main idea of this multi-range gear-box is not so much to increase the maximum speed, but rather to enable the transmission ratio to be adapted to * varying road conditions and to reduce the engine rate even when driving at the greatest vehicle speed. ... One of the most interesting exhibits in the show was the collection of early models. There was a 10 h.p. Cadillac of 1903, a Riley of 1903, an Oldsmobile of 1903, a Minervette of 1902, i a Star Dogcart of 1898 with a 31 h.p. engine and single cylinder, and the I first British car ever built. That was i in the year 1896. The Daimler of i 1899, built for King Edward, had solid [ tyres on the rear wheels, and a tody built on the lilies of a four-wheel waggonette. _