Proper Signals Imperative

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

Proper Signals Imperative

There seems to be such a laxity, so far as the giving of hand signals is concerned (says a northern writer), that attention is drawn once more to the great importance of properlygiven signals in ensuring safety on the roads. Those who do not think it necessary to give signals are selfish as well as careless. They are not playing the game in the interests of road traffic generally. Failure to give signals of intended halts, cr change of direction, is a fruitful cause of accidents arid traffic misunderstanding. Next to neglect to give signals is negligence in giving proper signals.

It should be the aim of all motorists to drive in a decisive manner; to take the element of doubt out of motoring; to leave nothing to chance. The motorist whose driving keeps the other fellow guessing is not a safe motorist. He is a traffic irritant. He causes confusion for others, and often that confusion may be turned into real danger to himself. When stopping, or changing direction, the safe motorist considers his own safety and well-being by considering the driver who may be overtaking. Consideration and Courtesy Consideration and courtesy are shown to following traffic by consulting one’s rear-view mirror, and then by acting decisively after having given proper, clearly-defined signals by hand or trafficator. !

It is not enough to dangle a hand over a windowsill as a signal. It is not enough, indeed it is dangerous, to give a hand signal at night if one is wearing dark gloves.

Because cars are faster and less noisy, nothing should be taken for granted so far as following traffic is concerned. A backward glance one minute may be reassuring, but a

Similarly, when police or inspectors are on point duty, there is an imperative call for clear signals properly given. You expect efficient signals from inspectors, and you get them. His job is to keep traffic moving, and your clearly-defined signal and decisive driving will help him in his job, and save you much fretting. A note of advice is given to those drivers who use a mechanical signal and then forget to cancel it. Wrongly given signals, or misleading signals, become an annoyance, and might easily be the cause of an accident.

Much deserved importance is placed on the worded sign by the roadside, but mere important is the sign the driver himself should give to others. Every driver worth the name should cultivate giving proper hand signals; they should create the habit and apply it at all times. Safety depends on it.

A peculiar and spectacular mishap occurred on the Havelock-Blenheim highway one evening recently. A small open sporster with two people crammed in alongside the driver was proceeding in the direction of Blenheim when suddenly the door on the driver’s side burst open while a curve was being negotiated. The force of gravity and the inside pressure had the immediate effect of hurling the luckless driver overboard, but he managed to retain a grip on the wheel, with the result that he pulled the car, which fortunately was travelling slowly, sharply across the road, after which it crashed through a fence and down a steep bank. It did not capsize, and the only injury was caused to the driver’s nerves.