“WOMEN SHOULD KNOW”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 12, 5 April 1927, Page 11

“WOMEN SHOULD KNOW”

CORRESPONDENT TELLS WHAT REPLY IS LEFT TO YOU 'this is to be the year of the lady driver. Already there is umple evidence on the road that she is to be a conspicuous figure in motoring. Women in daily increasing numbers are encountered in charge of cars, and this tact has prompted a corespondent to address a letter to us on the subject. Probably lady readers will have something to say concerning “ A Mere Man's'’ views, but at least they will concede that he puts his case gallantly and that his contention that women drivers should thoroughly master the rules of the road is a reasonable one. This applies also to his suggestion that ladies should drive at all times, and especially in places of danger, in such la way that they are guarding all the time against sudden contingency likely to give them “nerves.” It is no disparagement to womanhood generally that there are many members of the *ex who are easily upset'in an emergency and likely to act with indecision. And it is well that male motorists should be more than ever on the alert not to embarrass them. I need hardly add that for myself I welcome the lady driver. These columns are open to her if she desires to express her views in answer to my correspondent.

The writer in charge of this column feels inclined to diverge and issue a little homily on the subject of male drivers who do the same thirigs our correspondent attributes to women, but that is being dealt with elsewhere, so we will leave this to “ Ladies only.” My correspondent, “ A Mere Man,” states:: — “ Large cars as well as small are now being driven by ladies, and it is not uncommon to see parties of ladies motoring with no male companion or attendant. Personally I can imagine no finer picture than that of an accomplished lady driver at the wheel of a smart car, and I have not a word to say against the modern woman in her association with any form of sport or recreation. She is holding her own very nobly in many directions, and I have no doubt will defend herself very ably against anything I have to say concerning her qualities as a motor-car driver. It was inevitable that women should take to motoring, but perhaps a mere man may be permitted to suggest, with due deference, that the average woman can hardly be expected to have the nerve and ability which will enable her in emergency to act with the accuracy and promptitude necessary for the avoidance of accident. This point I expect to find controverted, but must hold my ground. “ Recently I have seen women drivers do extraordinary things, and in view of their uncertainty of action am taking more than my customary care at corners and uther places where I know danger to Murk under ordinary conditions. Freqtoqgtly I have observed in lady drivers to hold unduly to the crow* of the road. Whether it is that they are presuming on the deference which men habitually pay to their sex, or are unable accurately to gauge distance, I don’t know, but the fact is indisputable. Then, again, on corners I have been suddenly faced by a car driven by a lady and on its wrong side. Natural caution has saved me more than once, for the manner in which the lady handled her car was convincing evidence of ‘ nerves.’ lam not suggesting that wpmen are not fitted for driving cars, but it is absolutely essential that before taking the steering wheel they should know all about the rules, regulations, and etiquette of the road. Further they should drive at all times so as to avoid contingencies likely to upset their ner-

SAFETY FIRST Motorists are reminded: I. Respect the train at open crossings. 2. How are your brakes? .Frequent inspections may save many accidents. 3. When driving at night watch the road—not oncoming headlights. 4. Frequent inspection of steering gears is necessary for safety. 5. Impending blowouts may often be detected by examining the tyres. 6. Always slow down at curves. 7. Drive carefully near street cars, and be sure there is plenty of clearance. 8. Always slow down when approaching schools. 9. Special care should be exercised when coming out of side streets. 10. Obey the rules of the road. 11. The use of the rear mirror on every motor-truck is always advisable. 12. Hand signals should be given when turning to the right.

vous systems. In this respect the motoring gentleman friends of those ladies who elect to drive cars can render great service to the community at la rge by inculcating firmly and frequently those lessons which they know to be essential to all drivers. " Nothing that can be said will have the effect of causing ladies to give up driving, and nothing is farther from tpy intention. I welcome the ladies on the road. They add to the charm and variety of motoring, and he would be a churl who denied them the pleasure handling a car. But this must be qualified by the condition that they know the rules of the road and cooform to them.”