Hints in Passing

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23181, 29 October 1938, Page 14 (Supplement)

Hints in Passing

AVOIDING COLLISIONS The frequency of motor accidents caused by collisions between automobiles when passing other vehicles on the highways is attributed in the main to lack of knowledge of the proper procedure for drn ers to follow when overtaking. The method to bo adopted must vary according to traffic conditions and other factors Kxcessivc tooting is not desirable, but it is necessary for the driver ahead to be made aware of one's intention to overtake, otherwise he himself may swing out at a critical moment, so that an awkward situation arises. Nearside overtaking is not advisable and is risky. One never knows when a "middlo of the road" driver will pull over. Points to be avoided when overtaking are never to pass another vehicle going ill the same direction on a bend in the road, when surmounting a short, sharp hill or, in fact, at any time when a clear view of the road ahead cannot be obtained. Never pull out suddenly to overtake, unless sure that 110 other driver is just about to overtake you. When overtaking at speed, and with a motor-vehicle approaching in the opposite direction, judgment and care are necessary, as the gap between the vehicles closes very rapidly. It may be that the driver of the approaching automobile is not very alert, and will not, therefore, expect another vehicle to swing out suddenly from behind the approaching vehicle lie is watching. I he result is that an emergency arises, as his roadway is encroached upon by two approaching vehicles, instead of the one he has been observing. It is in this manner that bead-on collisions so frequently occur.