SHE SAYS ...

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31000, 4 March 1966, Page 11

SHE SAYS ...

. . . when I am driving my passengers must often think me strangely withdrawn and silent. Not so. My habit of silent concentration has developed from driving many miles on my own. I now find that if a passenger begins an animated conversation, I pay attention to no more than onethird of it. I think we never really realise how much concentration driving demands. Passengers must realise that if the driver is doing his or her job properly a spirited discussion is impossible. Yet oh how often women in a car will talk and talk, and turn their heads as they weave through traffic. Dangerous Jewellery One of my favourite pieces of jewellery is a bracelet that loosely encircles the wrist. But it is not safe to wear such a bracelet when driving. I have tried, and not only is the constant rattle against the wheel irritating, but sometimes the bracelet becomes entangled with the flashing indicator lever near the steering wheel. Any piece of apparel that can become entangled with the steering wheel is likely to be dangerous. Horn Rings I sometimes wonder at the

logic of those manufacturers who fit a semi-circular horn ring to their cars. Often one wishes to sound the horn when the wheel is not in the “straight ahead” position—the result can be a wild stab at the half of the wheel where the horn ring is not! Some horn controls are easy to press by accident, too. Often, in traffic, I have been startled by a horn blast, only to see that somebody getting into a car has accidentally touched the horn, and consequently is looking rather embarrassed! Check List There is one simple job the woman who owns her own car can and should do regularly. That is to check the brake, indicator and park lights, and make sure they are operating. Brake lights, for instance, are an important warning, and the lack of them can often result in a nudge from behind. Do not forget that the warrant of fitness check does not extend to brake lights or indicators.