STANDARD OF DRIVING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18552, 26 April 1930, Page 15 (Supplement)

STANDARD OF DRIVING

POST-LICENCE INSTRUCTION. CONSIDERATION BY A.A.A. A welcome suggestion for the improvement of members’ driving was made by the service officer of the Auckland Automobile Association at the last meeting of the council of the Association. The scheme, which involves a “post-licence” course of instruction by an expert, is a novelty, yet at the same time it is not only practicable but also highly desirable. The service officer, in outlining his scheme, said that the majority of motorists could be classified into two kinds—those who knew a lot about the operation, successful maintenance and proper management of their cars, and secondly a much greater number whose knowledge was distinctly deficient, and whose operating ability was a long way from perfect. He also pointed out that insufficient knowledge on the part of any motorist might easily produce a great deal of trouble, costly upkeep, unsatisfactory running, awkward situations, road accidents, and the loss of the pleasure and sense of security that a fuller knowledge gave. Since the Automobile Association existed solely for the purpose of promoting the welfare of motorists in every way, and for advancing the cause of safety on the roads, the service officer contended that it seemed necessary that an organisation that already provided practical service and help in a dozen different directions, should go a little further in positively encouraging individual efficiency in the driving and care of cars, and in the treatment of troubles as they are encountered from time to time. This object would be largely aided by adapting a finishing course in driving, which would make the average driver, whether man or woman, a better, safer and more satisfied user of the road. Details of the Scheme. The proposed post-licence course, provides for individual tuition either in a member’s own car, or in a car made available by the association, and is divided into five lessons, each designed to occupy about an hour. A moderate charge would be made for each hour’s tuition, with an increase if the association’s car was used. The first lesson would include instruction in the correct driving position, silent gear-changing and double-de-clutch-ing, stopping and starting on hills and changing gear when descending, reversing, driving into narrow gateways and garages, wheel and tyre changing. The second lesson would deal with driving in traffic, parking, signalling, traffic regulations, rules of the road and safety principles. The third lesson would include a general explanation of the operating principles of cars, such as the ignition and fuel systems, carburetion, cooling and lubrication systems. Location of troubles and the remedies would be the subject of the fourth lesson. The final lesson would include instruction in the general care and maintenance of the car, such as battery preservation, chassis and engine lubrication, testing and cleaning, and also in the methods by which the best results might be obtained in each particular case. The officer explained that the course might be taken at a central point selected by the associa-

tion, or at the house of the pupils. In the latter case the travelling time of the instructor and his car would be deducted from the time allowed in the course. Emphasising the feasible nature of the scheme, it was pointed out that in Australia, the National Roads and Motor Association was meeting with exceptional success with a similar scheme. Many Drivers Affected. The proposal is one which should certainly receive careful consideration. While the responsibility for the driving skill of its members is not upon the A.A.A., such an influential body could do a great deal to improve driving in general by the adoption of the scheme. There are far too many drivers on the road who have the same driving methods as lan Hay’s famous character in “The Knight on Wheels,” who had a wholesome respect for but a woeful ignorance of the working of “Boanerges." Manufacturers have succeeded in a large measure in simplifying the controls of their products, but there are still too many drivers who crash their gears in a heartless manner, use the brakes to arrest the car’s progress with a jerk, and generally display an astonishing ignorance of the mechanical features of their cars. Drivers in this class know that the three pedals are the clutch, brake and accelerator, but they neither know nor care what happens “underneath” when the various pedals and levers are brought into operation. It is probably this ignorance that accounts for the reluctance of some drivers to change down at anything over 10 miles an hour, and also for their look of blank amazement when such a term as “double de-clutch” is mentioned. The proposed scheme would largely clear away this lamentable ignorance of socalled qualified drivers, and would probably result in very many cars receiving more considerate treatment. Many and varied opinions have been expressed as to the merits of the licence tests carried out in New Zealand, and the fact remains that once a person has passed a comparatively simple driving test, and has shown he can control his car, he is given a licence, and is free to drive throughout the Dominion. A large number of drivers pass the licence test after half a dozen lessons, and pass from the crude novice stage to that of the qualified driver within a few days. It is more especially to cater for such drivers, who might well be styled licenced novices, that the A.A.A. service officer has brought forward his scheme. The council of the Association referred the ' scheme to the servibe committee for a repoi-t, and will give it further consideration at the next meeting.