HINTS TO MOTOR-CYCLISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1931, Page 7

HINTS TO MOTOR-CYCLISTS

DRIVING RULES EXPLAINED. INSPECTOR MEETS MOTORISTS. An address on the motor vehicles regulations was given to members of the North' Taranaki Motor-Cycle Club and others interested by Mr. R. Day, chief borough inspector at New Plymouth, last night. There was a good attendance presided over by Mr. E. Waters. He was a great admirer of the motorcycle and was one of the greatest advocates of pillion riding, Mr. Day said, but the pillion rider must sit astride the seat. It had been said that motorcyclists should be allowed to go oh as they wished until they eventually wiped themselves out, but on the other hand an inspector should endeavour to teach the motor-cyclists reason and show them the way they should ride. There was no doubt motor-cyclists were unpopular with the general public, and 90 per cent, of people would say “Why don’t you put them off the road?” The causes of this unpopularity were their noise and their speed. Noise was profitable to the borough as fines for noise would probably be increased. The worst offence was committed in starting in the street, when the engine was run too fast and “made a fearful row.” The engine should be warmed up slowly and care in looking after the engine would reduce carbonisation and noise. “When I was a young man I had a hack,” said Mr. Day. “The nearer I could get it to the speed of a racehorse the better. Those days have gone, but the motor-cyclist has come and he likes to show his friends how he can move along. Remember there arc people who do not want to be wakened by a motorcycle, that the fine is £2, and there is no 10 per cent, cut.” Riders did not generally know the speed at which they were travelling, Mr. Day said. Accidents at corners and with children were nearly always caused by too high a speed. “You must not risk your neck for an extra two minutes at lunch.” Only one pillion rider was allowed; he must sit astride and the machine must have foot rests. MotorCyclists were risking the pillion riders’ neck as well as their own if they rode fast. If a cycle was fitted with a sidechair two passengers could be carried in the side-chair and one on the pillion seat, while a tail light on the side-car was also necessary. Every person committing an offence by driving recklessly was liable to a fine of £TOO or imprisonment for three months, having regard to the circumstances of the case and the condition of the road. Moreover, a motor-cycle and alcohol would not mix. Alcohol affected quick judgment, and the smell was prima facie evidence. Motorists were bound to stop-if called upon to do so by the police or an inspector. They should give information if anyone was hurt. In overtaking the motorist must sound his horn and must bo 18ft. clear of the car he was overtaking before pulling to the left again. The law or speed at intersections was that a motorist should travel at such a speed that he could pull up within half the distance he could see. He should not cross an intersection at more than 15 miles per hour. No regulation for motorists passing trams should be required, Mr. Day said. Common decency should tell a motorist what to do. The onus was on him to stop if anyone were waiting in the road for a tram. A motorist must stop for stock and he must not overtake stock on an intersection. Signals required were not understood by most motorists. A driver must not turn out of traffic unless it were safe and he should hold out hig arm as well as his hand. The stopping sign was the hand raised upright. A sign of three toots of the horn had been suggested to warn a car from which something had been dropped. It was not necessary to sound the horn at every corner provided a motorist drove carefully. Mr. Day summarised many rules. A motorist, he said, must not break through an organised procession; he must°give way to the fire engine and he must not park over a fire plug. No siren was allowed on cars, and no bells except on ambulances. A rear vision mirror was com; -.lsory on cars but not on motor-cycles. There were more accidents on a fine day, Mr. Day concluded, than on a wet day, for on a fine day there was more traffic and motorists were not so careful as they were in rain.