RULES OF THE ROAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 6

RULES OF THE ROAD

STRICT ATTENTION NEEDED WHAT THE LAW SAYS There are many Auckland motorists who would do well to pay more attention to Regulation 11., sections (3) and (13), of the Motor Regulations, which refer to passing other vehicles and to the “off-side” rule respectively. For tlie benefit of those who persist in disregarding them, or who are not properly conversant with them, these sections are here reproduced: Passing.—“ Every driver of a motorvehicle shall when overtaking another vehicle, other than a tram, pass on his right side of the overtaken vehicle, and shall not then move into the line of passage of the other vehicle until clear from it by at least 18 feet.” The> “Off-side" Rule (giving way to vehicle on right at intersections).- — “Every driver of a motor vehicle when approaching any intersection the traffic at which is not for the time being controlled by a police officer or traffic inspector, and to which any other vehicle (inclusive of trams) is approaching, so that if both continued on their course there would be a possibility of collision, shall, if such vehicle (being other than a tram) is approaching from his right or if such vehicle (being a tram) is approaching from any direction, give way to such other vehicle, and allow the. same to pass before him, and, if necessary lor that purpose, stop his vehicle, and no driver of a motorvehicle shall increase the speed of his vehicle when approaching any intersection under the circumstances set out in this clause.”

There has been a great deal ot discussion as to whether this last rule should be altered to “give way to the vehicle to the left,” and all sorts of arguments have been put forward. It really does not seem to matter very much which one is adopted so long as there is one definite regulation. The law says, “give way to the vehicle on the right,” so why argue? The most important thing of all is the carrying out of the rule, and if every motorist would set himself out to observe it. then there would be very little trouble. A motorist told “Headlight” recently that he always gave way to the man on the right because it was the rule — but he also gave way to the man on the left because he might not be conversant with the rule. That is all very well, but it is decidedly a waste of time to have to stop and smile sweetly at a driver whom one meets at an intersection, and who looks helplessly at. you and smiles sweetly, too. There follows waving of hands and signals which are interpreted as “you first.” Unfortunately, both drivers usually decide to take advantage of each other’s signals at the same moment, and a collision is imminent. If they do not do that they stay where they are until one decides to take matters into his own hands and make a break for it. Strict adherence to the “off-side” rule would do away with this, and would save many a temper from becoming frayed.