The Waikato Times THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1934. HOLIDAY SAFEGUARDS

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19460, 27 December 1934, Page 6

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1934. HOLIDAY SAFEGUARDS

The holiday season is accompanied by such considerable movements of population that a correspondingly high duty of care i " posed upon those who use the public highways and fo^gathea other public places. Upon the motorists in particular there v an obligation to exercise more than ordinary caie. Ax. > tale of holiday accidents has commenced. No one " ish ‘ PP t tion blame at such a time, but many accidents, while they do not involve culpability, nevertheless can be classed as avoidab e.

It is of little purpose for the experienced drivers to blame tlie inexperience of those who have now swelled the total number road-users. The roads are for the convenience o all A,. are fled fit and proper persons to control motor v ehicles, and , Y is not to be found in the imposition of irksome or harassing res n c tions.

It is rather the .duty of all who use the roads to practise courtesy and consideration when encountering others. It is no sufficient for the motorist to handle his own machine with the requisite skill. He is not entitled to expect others to measure fully, up to his own standard of efficiency. Unfortunately there is a tendency to make no allowance for the possible failure of nerve on t e part of a pedestrian or another motorist. Accidents which spring from this omission are distressingly frequent and are the most productive of serious - consequences.

To those who are setting forth on the highways, unarmed with lengthy experience of motoring conditions, and to those whom improved conditions have permitted to renew their acquaintance wit this form of holiday, a word of advice is in season. Let them remember that the standard expected of them by the other motorist is exceedingly high, and therefore let them he careful not to place themselves in any position _ which may call for the sudden exercise of skill which they may not possess.

From the experienced driver a considerably higher standard of care is demanded. Not only are the roads now more crowded than is customary, thereby adding to the difficulties of manoeuvring m heavy traffic, but the arrival of numbers of less experienced motorists upon the highways renders it necessary to use reasonable caution when meeting them. They may be unskilled in the finer tricks of motoring, hut they should not on that account be penalised by being exposed to risks which present no terrors to more seasoned drivers.