MOTORING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 9 (Supplement)

MOTORING

£>Y FOCUS

Tj\EWER fatal accidents marred Easter. motoring than was the case a year ago, and motorists reported that the general standard of driving was substantially improved. At the same time, there were many narrow escapes, and more than one driver owes his life and that of his passengers to the skill ol somebody else. Good brakes and capacity for making lightning decisions saved many head-on smashes, for there was ample evidence that tlioro are still oil the roads of New Zealand drivers who care little for there own safety," or that of other road-users.

Motorists who travelled off the beaten track, as well as on the busier main highways confirmed suggestions made in the past that trailers and caravans towed behind cars driven by those unaccustomed to this development, are

at best a nuisaneo, and at worst a danger. Many instances were reported of poorly-designed or wrongly-loaded trailers, causing drivers almost to loso control at critical moments, and at least one Auckland party was neatly "side-swiped" by a bouncing trailer, and forced on to a mercifully wide grass verge at the roadside. One of the main factors contributing to erratic behaviour by trailers is excessive speed. On the occasion mentioned, the caravan was being towed

Fewer Easter Accidents TRAILERS IN INEXPERIENCED HANDS

hv :i small car, ami was moving at quite 50 mill's an hour between Hamilton and Cambridge. The caravan frequently did not. "track" properly, and at intervals it bounced and slewed sideways across the road, making it difficult and dangerous to overtake. The driver of the outfit seemed quite happy, and blissful I v unaware either of bis lack of control or of the nuisance he was causing. Lack of rear vision from cars towing trailers also caused difficulties. It happened frequently that drivers endeavouring to overtake were unable to do so, and prolonged horn-blowing was necessary to bring it home, to offending drivers that their caravans were completely blocking narrow roads. In other instances caravan owners seemed afraid to pull over far enough to the lett. indicating inexperience rather than churlishness. Holiday motoring will no doubt continue to be marred by such difficulties until special driving tests for caravan owners or hirers are insisted upon. It was notable that many of the offending motorists were in charge of hired caravans, an indication that they lacked the necessary experience in handling these useful adjuncts to a motoring holidav.