GIVING SIGNALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 10

GIVING SIGNALS

“A general negligence is noticeable among motorists in the practice of giving directional signals by hand, and this tendency is to be regretted, ’’ says the latest message from the Canterbury Automobile Association, in its effort to instil “Safety First” principals. “ Every motorist has n plain duty to assist following traffic no matter of what type by giving ample indication of his intention to change his course, and every road user is entitled to expect courtesy from the driver ahead. “Quite a large number of motorists fail to give any warning whatever of change of direction, and many fail to extend the hand at a distance from the car to be of any value. It is useless to hang one’s hand negligently over the side of the door pane], and expect such action to convey an intelligent meaning to the following vehicle drivers. There is only one way to signal by hand and that is to thrust the hand straight out. To many drivers that is impossible, because of incorrect driving posture. The proper place for a driver is right behind the wheel, and if anything as close to the right hand side as possible. Some seconds before, or at the same time that a hand signal is given, it is wise to sound the warning device. That detail is often missed. “Following traffic should not keep too close to the car ahead and particularly near corners a sharp lookout, should be maintained for the hand signal from the person ahead. ”