Neglect Of Signals

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

Neglect Of Signals

Knowlecige or wnat other road-users intend to do, whether to slow down, halt, or change direction, is more important as a safety factor than far too many motorists and cyclists are prepared to admit, judging by the disregard shown by them of the simplyapplied rules of signalling. The old axiom about being forewarned holds with strong effect to the everyday use of the roads. To be forewarned is to be armed with valuable knowledge upon which one may act in safety. The element of doubt, indecision, uncertainty plays a conspicuous part in the incidence of accidents, many of which could be avoided if drivers and cyclists gave signals. Every driver or cyclist should make a practice of giving the correct signal at all times before carrying out any manoeuvre involving a change of direction. There are still many motorists and cyclists who neglect to give signals, and by so doing they wrongly give other road-users the credit for possessing thought-reading powers. Failure to signal is always unsafe. Even the experienced driver lapses into the habit of failing to signal his intention to turn right if he is following the beaten track of the main highway. He should remember that the man behind may be a local driver who, planning to take the continuation of the road straight ahead, figures that those ahead of him are going the same way. Everybody is not travelling the main, highway all the time. But, while signals are important at ail times, they are just as necessary on' the open highway as in the congestion of city traffic. It is safety and courtesy to convey to other roadusers one’s clearly-defined intentions, whether they involve straight ahead at an intersection, a change of direction, or slowing down or halting. Signals are also imperative when one is halted by the kerbing, and intends to move out into the line of traffic. Far too many drivers rely solely on creeping out and taking the risk of passing traffic being sufficiently aware of what is happening. Passing traffic is entitled to the courtesy and consideration of being warned by signal of any threat to its line of progress. Actually, of course, good,‘safe drivers would never think of attempting to enter the traffic stream from a parked or halted position until the way is perfectly clear to carry out the manoeuvre without obstruction to passing traffic. Some drivers make a habit of not giving signals of intention to halt or slow down in busy thoroughfares, the notion being, apparently, that following drivers should be sufficiently alert to the needs of the traffic not to require warning. But the need is there all the same, because of the many additional risk factors which enter into busy traffic driving. Another important consideration is this: The continual giving of signals by a driver not only makes that driver do so as an ingrained habit, but it acts as a valuable educational factor for the benefit of other

road users. Drivers have been noted going to the commendable extremes __ of giving a hand or automatic-device signal on a roadway free of ether traffic either approaching or following. V/herever they are, and no matter what the cir.cumstances, they do not break the signalling habit. One of the important ways in which motorists and cyclists can assist materially in the greater safety and courtesy on the streets and roads is by eliminating the doubt which is created by the absence of properly-given signals. Make signalling a habit.