FAULTS OF MOTORISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 7

FAULTS OF MOTORISTS

ACTIONS AND THEIR RESULTS

dangers of looking away.

NUISANCE OF SELFISHNESS.

PRECAUTIONS ON THE HIGHWAY.

The increased ■ motor traffic on town and country roads during the holiday season is' primarily the reason for the general increase-in the accident numbers —but the reasons for the accidents themselves vary so widely that it is almost impossible for any motor regulations to protect the unwary motorist from himself. For that reason Mr. R. Day, New Plymouth’s chief traffic inspector, recommended yesterday when interviewed on the-subject, that all drivers should bear in mind the apt slogan, “there is a bigger fool round the corner—and he is probably drunk.” . As they stand the motor regulations provide fairly fully for prohibiting misdemeanours by motorists. In addition they lay down certain rules—such as the necessity to keep to the correct side and the foolishness of overtaking another car at an ; intersection or comer—for the guidance arid safety of the travelling public. Mr. Day indicated, however, that, there were many small and silly things done by motorists that were a perpetual source of danger and which did not come within the scope of the regulations. ' v . “Talking to passengers is not dangerous in. itself, but'the turning of the head to do so is decidedly dangerous and silly,” said Mr. Day. “One frequently sees drivers turning round for seconds at a' time to look into the faces of back-seat passengers.

“KEEP EYES '"N ROAD.”

In view Of the speed with Which danger approaches it is most necessary that the driver should keep his eyes glued to the road.”

While driving at blind comers was covered by the regulations there were many other places on the road where motorists should exert greater care, he continued. It was more than foolish to drive full tilt at the brow of a hill, for one never knew what was on the other side. The indiscriminate blowing of the horn was not the sign of a careful driver. “The horn is intended only for use in time of danger such as when pedestrians crossing the street are unconscious of, the approaching motor,” said Mr. Day; “This means that the ' average motorist need nbt blow his horn more than once a week if he is observing the care .required of him .under the motor,'regulations. The constant raucous sound of motor horns in Devon Street is a source of annoyance to business people and other users of the street. More'than that,’it is of no use to the motorists; they depend too much upon the horn and appear to take unnecessary risks simply because they have sounded •the horn. • —•

Another source of danger indicated by the inspector was the practice of driving at full speed when meeting an oncoming vehicle. To a nervous driver the effect of seeing another car approaching at 45 miles an hour was most distracting and had somewhat of a hypnotising effect. That was the explanation of many of the head-on collisions that occurred on the open road.- . - THE “SMART” ROAD HOG.Other drivers did not allow sufficient room in passing. “It may look clever to hug the centre of the road, but sooner or later a nervous driver will twist his wheel the wrong way and the inevitable crash will occur,” continued Mr. Day. “Generally it is the fast-travelling car that receives the greatest damage.” In his opinion it was selfishness rather than thoughtlessness that was responsible for the manner in which people left cars about the streets and in the parking areas. It was easy to park a car in order that the other motorist could get out, but rarely was that fact appreciated. Selfishness of that kind was very noticeable when cars-were parked opposite the crossing to a private garage, and there had been numerous instances where an owner-driver resident perhaps in the suburbs had been unable' to take his family for a drive through a parked car blocking his exit. In such cases the selfish action of the. other owner was generally accentuated by the fact that his car was left locked and the key removed. Although such parking was a breach of the regulations it was often done, and there should have been no necessity for such a regulation. Regarding careless and selfish parking Mr. Day said the average New Zealander would be surprised if he were to park his car in the United States under the same conditions. In that country the driver desiring to get out simply bumped the obstructing car backward or forward as the case might be. It was believed that that was why such strong bumpers were placed on American cars. Moreover, when an American driver parked his car he provided for such a contingency by leaving his brakes only half on in order that his vehicle might take the jar with less chance of damage'.