Safety Booklet

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

Safety Booklet

LESSONS FOR CYCLISTS Jn conjunction with its road safety campaign, the Now Zealand Auto-Cycle I'nion has issued an admirable illustrated booklet, entitled "Now Zealand Motor-Cyclist." A foreword is given by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, who points out that last year .'<2 motor-cyclists were killed and over 600 injured, the number being increased by 200 if pillion riders, cyclists and pedestrians were included. The booklet issues a special appeal to motor-cyclists to exercise care and respect speed. There are graphic, if sometimes gruesome, cartoons, demonstrating the dangers that lurk around the b<*nd for the unwary rider. The motto "Safety first, silenco always," is stressed, and several other concise slogans, include "Alert to-day, alive to-morrow," "The ABC of road safety, always be careful," and "Children are to be seen and not hurt." information of use to the average motor-cyclist is carefully sandwiched with safety articles. One of the best illustrated features is a simple lesson in physics, revealing how turning becomes more impossible as speeds increase. At 50 in.p.h. only a fourth of the turn possible at 25 in.p.h. can be negotiated, and at 75 turning is cut to a ninth. "Try to turn more sharply than the law of physics allows, and over you go," the article concludes. A feature of cars for 40 years that may disappear entirely in the next fivo is the gear lever. If the control is not on the steering column it will be located 011 the dash.