TRAFFIC SIGNALS

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 February 1932, Page 13

TRAFFIC SIGNALS

SIGNS AND PORTENTS

DRIVERS IN THREE CLASSES

Motorists, in regard to the giving ot traffic signals, may he divided m;. three classes; those who give clear signals in ample time, those who make a perfunctory and belated gesture, and the deliberately careless who refuse to impart any information of their intended movements. The last-named class fully deserve any legal penalties which they may incur, because of their consistent disregard of traffic safety, but although the “last-minute” signaller may believe that he is complying with the duty imposed on him, he frequently is so tardy in holding out his hand tc indicate his intention of stopping or turning that he becomes finite as dangerous as the driver who refuses to signal at all. If such persons would only be considerate enough to recollect that those in charge of following vehicles require reasonable warning of what the mar. ahead proposes to do, many accidents ami “close shaves” would lie avoided. An assiduous motorist reports that the most painstaking observation lias convinced him that the significance of a driver protruding his hand straight out from the window of his car is as follows, possibilities being given in the. order of their inherent likelihood: (a) Driver is shaking ash from actual cigarette. (b) Is pointing out aeroplane, woodchuck, or humming bird to friend wife. (c) Stretching himself. (cl) Gesturing in support of oration ho is making to inmates of car. (o) Shaking ash f.-om imaginary cigarette. (f) Dubbing mosquito-bitten elbow on sill of window. (g) Resting his arm, cramped from long driving. ill) Trying to attract attention oi acquaintance on roadside. (i) Relieving tickling of wrist by over-long shire sleeve. (j) Flirting with young lady in cii’ beliind or ahead. (k) Signalling for right turn. (l) Signalling a stop. (m) Signalling that lie is about to turn around in the street. (n) Signalling that lie is out of gas. (o) Signalling for loft turn. If the driver is of the female persuasion, our observer says, this list must he completely revamped and rearranged.