MOTORS AND THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2686, 6 September 1905, Page 60

MOTORS AND THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

- ' , (Contributed •by a Motorist.) , \Eotors "generally used that; at is almost superfluous to indicate to' the riding and ' driving public the precautions' "that should- be observed in order to., avoidaccidents it is _, curious' how carelesssome people are, "and -it- is -perhaps hardly" fair to -assume that, the general public grasp the peculiarities of the motor — what it can do, and what" it cannot do. In the "first place; "a motor cannot go slowly uphill. The machine only develops sufficient power to breast a hill -when driven at a fair pace. When a .driver is going up a hill and hears a motor coming behind him, if' he is not sure of his horse he should pull into the inside of the road and stop, taking Dare to leave a good track outside of him clear of metal." If ' he then holds up hiswhip the motorist will ahodt past him with the power shut off, and pick up again directly he has passed. He cannot do this if the horse is walkings ever so slowly. On the level -observe the same rule. The writer has seen, a nervous driver persisting, from the best of intentions, in driving on, and a perspiring motorist striving to pedal l3oTb' of machine so as to overtake him: the task is a hopeless* one. In meeting a motor on the level or down hill, the driver has but to raise his whip hand, and the motorist transforms his machine into a harmless "push bike." Or, if the horse is restive, the motorist will' dismount. There ie not the Slightest reason why any inconvenience should result to. drivers or riders if the" ordinary- cenrfesies of the road-are observed. =We may in time develop the " motor hog,"' but the^la-ttef will find himself ostracised TSy all other tiaotorists, and barred from joining any reputable . association. The majorityof the riders are, I "think, very considerate (as it behoves them to be), 'and I have often noticed that riders approaching a trap concentrate their attention on the horse. The latter generally gives ample warning of what -his views on motors are, and how they affect him. On the other hand, some drivers are far from considerate : they do not reflect that they are given their choice . of what side to take provided they make an early decision, and, as often as nnt. drive the motorist over on new metal, and then complain that he comes too near the liorse! A motor is under perfect control. Tli is is perhaps news to many, but it is true, as motors are furnished with vary powerful brakes, and they can be far more easily stopped than ordinary bicycles. It may cost the motorist a back tyre, but that does not matter where occasion calls for prompt action. A motorist is always, on the alert— he has to bs. For example, the writer was passing along a street the other day, riding on the tram line, when an unattended infant just able to walk toddled out on the road, and then, as the motor was about to pass, made a shaky little run right on to ihe track >m front of the machine. No harm resulted, jtrat had it been a cart instead of a motor Shere must have been an accident. As all Motorists know, there are three creations Iwhose movements cannot be anticipated on ithe road— namely, a woman, a child, and a -bow; therefore each carries a danger Signal indicating ' that they must be Wtiously approached, and as cautiously passed. Our country friends should also that each motor means < revenue vjo the country districts, and no injury re &one by the machine to the roads. I think i may safely say that on the South road, which is most used, no inconvenience results to the traffic, and it is curious to note how accustomed the horses have beDome to the machines. I have seen horses quietly grazing on th& road sides without

even lifting their heads as a motor passed. At the same time it is only fair to say that the farmers and others who uss the South road are most thoughtful and considerate, and I think rather enjoy the spectacle of half a dozen motors passing along with their bogoggled riders staring straight ahead and not looking to the right or left, however dainty the tempter.