THE HIGHWAY CODE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23055, 4 December 1936, Page 6

THE HIGHWAY CODE

A GUIDE TO USERS OF THE ROADS The following highway code,has been authorised and Issued by the Minister of Transport (Mr R. Semple) and is intended to be a guide to all users of the roads:— All persons have a tight to use the road for the purpose of passage. As the manner in which you use the road affects a large number •f others, show care and courtesy at all time and i avoid" unnecessary noise. -;-r- r "':-. . '"-,".' £ ■ Accidents are inevitable unless due allowance is made for possible errors on the part of others. > Before using the road be sure that your alertness or sense of eaution is not affected by alcohol or fatigue. A fraction of a second may make all the difference in avoiding an accident. If you cannot give the necessary concentration you are risking not only your own life but the lives of others. Learn the traffic signals used by persons regulating traffic and by drivers of vehicles. Every person who uses the road should learn thoroughly those rales in the code which apply to him In particular > and should make himself familiar with those which concern other classes of road ■sen. When In doubt—Don't. M any contemplated action on your part eannot be carried out without absolute safety both to yourself and to ether users of the road, wait until the risk of accident has passed. TO DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES (INCLUDING MOTOR CYCLISTS) Rule of the Road Keep as near to the left as practicable, unless about to overtake er turn to the right, and at all times on the left of any traffic dome er other indicator placed on the road for the guidance of traffic. Control of Vehicle Remember that the faster yon are travelling the smaller b the margin of safety'should an emergency arise, and the more serious must be the result oil an accident, Always be able to bring your vehicle to a standstill within half the distance for which you can see the road to be clear, whether by night or by day. At night always drive well within the limits of your lights. When your headlights are dipped or extinguished, be specially eareful. If you are dazzled slow down even to a standstill.

'Take special eare when It Is foggy, when light Is bad, or when wads,are wet, slippery or otherwise dangerous, i

Duties Towards Other Road Users Do not drive in a spirit of competition with other road users. If another driver shows lack of care or good manners do not attempt any form of retaliation. Remember that yon cannot be certain of the movements of pedestrians. Be ready for, children who may run suddenly on to the road and for people who may step from a refuge or footpath. Make allowance for the hesitation of the aged and infirm and for the blind. Give plenty of room to pedestrians and cyclists, especially la wet weather. Go slow when passing animals and give them as wide a berth as possible. Stop if necessary or if signalled to do so. Be prepared to meet pedestrians and led animals coming towards yon on your own side of the road. Take special care when passing a stationary vehicle or any other form of obstruction .which prevents a clear view of pedestrians or oncoming traffic. ■ "••■ When the traffic in front of you is held up do not encroach on the off-side of the road and (hereby impede other traffic. Never open the door off' a vehicle without first making sure that you will not endanger or inconvenience anyone on the road or footpath, and keep a good lookout when getting in or out on the offside. When the load carried on your vehicle projects behind the vehicle it is helpful to other traffic to mark the end of the projection by means of a red cloth.

Cross Roads, Corners, and Bends

Take special care at intersections, corners and bends. When turning from one road into another, go slow and give way to any pedestrians crossing the roads out of which or into which you are turning.

Proceed with special care when coming from a side road into • main road. Unless you have a clear view of the main road in both directions, stop just before entering the main road.

Overtaking Overtake only on the right, except when a driver in front has signalled his intention to turn to the right. Before overtaking a tramcar which is about to stop, watch carefully to see if passengers are about to board or alight. Stop at the rear of all stationary trams while passengers are embarking or alighting. Do not pass on the offside. Never attempt to overtake If by so doing you are likely to Inconvenience or endanger any other road user. Avoid overtaking at a pedestrian crossing. Overtake only if you can do so without forcing the person overtaken or approaching traffic to swerve or slacken speed. Never accelerate when being overtaken. Never cut out—that is, never turn out from the near-side of the road—sharply without giving ample warning and being satisfied that it Is safe to do so. Never overtake at a blind corner or bend, or at,or approaching the brow of a steep hill or a humpbacked bridge. Never overtake at Intersections. Reversing Never turn or reverse your vehicle unless you have satisfied yourself that it is safe to do so. Look out specially for pedestrians ami children. Do .not reverse a larger distance than is absolutely necessary. It Is much more convenient to make a complete turn at an Intersection.

Traffic Signs and Signals Keep a good lookout for all traffic signals, signs and lines. Before you stop or slow down or change direction, give the appropriate signal clearly and in good time. If you use a direction indicator, see that it is returned to neutral as soon as your move- ' ment is completed.. When approaching a police constable or other person regulating traffic, and where necessary for his guidance, signal the direction in which you intend to go. Do not rely on signals to proceed given by unauthorised persons.

Obstruction « When you stop, draw up close to the side of the road and do not stop opposite a safety zone, road repairs or any other obstacle or within six feet of a fire plug on the roadway. Never stop opposite or nearly opposite a standing vehicle if by so doing you are liable to cause inconvenience to the passage of other traffic. Never allow your vehicle to remain standing close to a bend or road junction, on or near the brow of a hill or a humpbacked bridge, or in any-other dangerous position.

Never leave your vehicle standing In such a position as to obscure any pedestrian crossing or traffic sign. Never, if it can be avoided, leave your vehicle facing the wrong way in foggy or misty weather or at night on an unlit or badly lit road, unless the vehicle is adequately lighted by its own lamps or by a street lamp. Never, if it can be avoided, put questions to an officer regulating traffic; you distract his attention and may cause obstruction or danger. Convoys If you are a driver in a convoy or a driver of one of a series of large vehicles, such as lorries or motor coaches, do not drive close behind the vehicle in front of you. Leave ample space so that a faster vehicle, after overtaking you, can draw in to the left, , v If necessary, before overtaking the next vehicle. Pedestrian Crossings Look out for pedestrian crossings and make yourself familiar with the rules relating to them. Lamps Dip your headlights when meeting other vehicles on the road unless there are special circumstances which make it unsafe for you to do so. When you are following another vehicle which you do not intend to overtake, adjust your headlights so that they do not inconvenience or dazzle the driver in front of you.

Do not use your headlights unnecessarily, especially in lighted areas.

On foggy days turn on your side and tail lamps.

Horns and Noise

' Make as little noise as you can. Do not sound your horn unnecessarily or race your engine when your vehicle is stationary. Sudden noisy acceleration is unnecessary and disturbing. Remember that the sounding of your horn does not give you the right of way or absolve you from the duty of taking every precaution to avoid an accident.

Brakes and Tyres Give regular attention to your brakes and see that they are always efficient. Always maintain your tyres in a safe condition, and, in the case of pneumatic tyres, see that they are kept constantly at a proper pressure.