RULES OF THE ROAD

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume XV, 24 July 1931, Page 4

RULES OF THE ROAD

KEEP TO THE LEFT. It is surprising that it is necesssary, after all these years of motor transport experience, to draw the attention of motorists to the elementary rules of the road, but it is so. Thousands of motorists are careless enough to hug the crown of the road, or if they do not actually travel on the crown of the road they get as far away from the extreme left-hand side as possible. It is selfish or thoughtless to do either, particularly if one is driving slowly. Following traffic travelling faster may wish to pass, and if the vehicle in front is on or near the crown of the road danger is created for the overtaking vehicle. Strangely enough the drivers who monopolise the roadway are those who never make use of their rear-view mirrors if they have them as part of their equipment. The Motor Vehicles Act demands the use of such mirrors. If the thoughtless drivers consulted the rear view mirrors habitually they would correct the habit of obstructing traffic by driving in the middle of the road. It is imperative that all traffic should keep as near to the left-hand side of the roadway as possible, and that applies to all classes of traffic, particularly slow-moving vehicles and big motor vans or trucks. The action of many drivers of heavy vehicles in using more road space than is necessary savours of autocratic behaviour, and in the interests of traffic safety there is no place for such behaviour in the code of the motorist.