ON DRIVING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 14 February 1931, Page 13

ON DRIVING

C.i AR ACTi'-lR AT THE WHEEL

Rl 1 DU( iNii RISK Otf MISHAPS

Muc.i in the way of instruction ami caution is given to the rank novice at the wheel. .Long articles are written for . his benefit, and detailed comments ami illustrations are- published to teach him the proper handling of lus ail'. He is faced with ium.iueiabic “Don’ts” and ‘‘Shall nots,” and is looked upon as a dangerous element until such time as he appears to have gaitied mastery over his car. Now, folio* this same individual when the iscare of driving has been overcome, when ad the exaggerated beginner’s “cogies” of motoring ha\e lifted from his imagination, and yon will oft-times find him swing to an extreme. Me assumes that' confidence which is not born of experience, and generally over-estimates his driving ability, until such time as his judgment* is quickened, perchance by some hair-breadth escape. He is, therefore, a more likely source of danger when ‘'y he first appears proficient and begins to drive his car in the literal sense then he was as a beginner. The experienced driver is seldom spectacular, while the one with a newly-acquired sense of control believes for a while that his lessons are at an end and forgets that a car provides us all with innumerable opportunities of making fools of ourselves and being a menace to others. it is not wise to assume that the driving of a car is a type' of activity limited in its scope to the actual manipulation of its mechanism; it encompasses a much wider field of thought and responsibility. In its deeper analysis it is a progressive accomplishment which, if thoroughly I carried out. forms an exercising i ground for the practice of consideration, calmness, alertness and rapid decisions. For the promotion ‘of increased safety every motorist should ponder the question of greater efficiency in driving, remembering, as we all do, how by the vigilance of those who are adepts in the art of driving we have been spared much serious trouble. Mastery of the controls of your machine is one thing, but the lessons of' restraint and control of your own voluntary and involuntary actions with your car are another, and by far the greater, factor towards good driving and general safety. Unquestionably, more than just driving knowledge is essential now that the number of vehicles and their speed are rapidly on the increase. Individual tendencies, including one’s own, must be better understood to reduce the number of accidents, even to their total elimination, for intelligence at the helm is the only practical way out of mishaps. As we do not readily possess the „ gift of seeing ourselves as others see us, it will be no effort to call to mind that fellow we all of us sometimes encounter, often rather young, driving with much noise a light sports twoseater. He seems to exclaim, if not in words, “I am a real expert at Driving,” with a capital D. The gears go in with a hang, and so does the clutch, the accelerator is touching the floorboards, while the back wheels polish tit)' the roadway. Round blind corners he goes, maintaining an artifinally placid air of boredom and generally running most inordinate risks at cross-roads.

A driver, in short, win- seems 1101 to remember that he is steering si many hundredweight of metal through the air, and forgets about momentum until it is sometimes too late. Could tins- lie called driving.-' Well. \os — in the literal sense.

With the automobile oi to-day there is no need for affectation, pride, or any abnormal and unmanly idiosyncrasy. .Smoothness and comfort characterise c-ar driving. It breathes swift rest fulness, and should <dve mail added opportunity for peaceful yet rapid deductions.

1 must admit that I scarcely like the use of the word “driving” as applied to the automobile. It certainly corresponds better with cattle, o. chariots. It suggests what it means; it hints at force. The dictionary, amongst its dcmiitions of driver and driving, says: Having force —of impulse. to urge forward by force, to move by physical means.

Driving, then, does not seem a suitable word for the gentle art of conducting such a silent and efficient piece of mechanism as the modern car. Its manipulation is really delicate! there is no wrestling required. Is this the reason why our Continental friends always refer to the driver as "C’oiiducteur”?

Silence is golden, it is said, anil this truly applies to the motor-car. for quiet working is a sure sign of efficiency. This silence, when supplemented with real driving ability, assures that absence of strain and fatigue which is otherwise so noticeable at the end of a long day’s run. When touring it is not desirable to adopt the practice of either the hare or the tortoise. Road conditions often set the pace, but, if possible, steady, moderate speed on the open road is preferable to dangerous rushes or incomprehensible sudden crawls, especially when occupying the crown of the road.

The fact that we travel fast or slowly is not necessary to label ourselves reckless reckless or timid. It is the motive that really counts, and a mental survey of our purpose is quite a good thing with which to occupy our thoughts before starting not for a run.

If we are touring for .pleasure, let us assure it by being courteous to other road users, and refrain from being exacting and short-tempered, not fearing to give way to other motorists, who perchance may be on business and save little time at their disposal.

—Safety first—the .safety of others first—is a good rule to observe, together with a determined refusal to cultivate the acquaintance of ‘ that twin brother of ignorance, “Chance.” One terrible offence, which appears very prevalent on our highways and by-ways to-day is the habit of thinking that because a driver wishes to overtake another car he has entered upon a -speed challenge —whereupon the one being overtaken immediately accelerates. ,

Now, are we amongst the type of person who treat a light car as a heavy station bus, the tourer as a racing car, the light sporting roadster as a steam waggon, and so on P Do we race the engine out- of all reason and appear to- have no idea of speed or pulling-up distances, so that late and violent brake applications are necessary, and thus do not obtain the best running results Are we unable to re-start on any steep incline without being a danger to the one behind, appearing to be neither mechanically sensitive nor sensible?

Should wo find that we answer any of these descriptions, let us hasten to < be more kind to our neighbour and on- \ deavour to graduate away and above car “driving” in the literal sense, and; thus reduce the toll of road accidents. * Too many of us attain a mild proficiency in a few lessons, and do not trouble to improve any more, being quite content with the ability to make a car start and stop, while all the liner points in driving are neglected. Alertness is what is needed; there is greater danger in an over-cautious dullness than in swiftness with an alert mind.

What, then, can lie termed efficient driving or a first-class driver;- Is it not one with a well-developed sense of proportion and a considerate character —a quick thinker;-'

Yes. those fundamental qualities are indispensable, for the more we care to lo '!. mt things for the imrpo.se of ad- \ an, oment, the more do wo discover that the external effect relics on the internal qualities. Character is often clearly revealed at the wheel. So, whatever term we t.ivoiu- in lieu of “Driver.” let us be careful not to drive iigtlie literal -sense of the term. —C. F. Beaurais in the ■ 'Autocar. “