Right-hand Rule Could Be Misleading

Chronicle (Levin), 31 July 1948, Page 4

Right-hand Rule Could Be Misleading

It is pointed out by the Levin A.A. officer, Patrol Officer R. Keenan, that the right-hand rule can be very misleading in deciding who will win or lose a civil claim rising out of a collision where this rule is involved. "It is as wexl for. people to realise that the main deciding factor in these coses is who had the last opportunity to avoi'd.the accident," he says. "In a number of receiit cases magistrates have ruied against a driver who has, according to the right-hand rule, had the right of way, because in these particular cases this driver had the last opportunity of avoiding the accident. "It is advisable, therefore, that motorists who normally insist on taking the right of way when the right-hand rule is in - their favour Should realise that by doing so they may some day pay heavily for their obstinacy. The matter has been raised by the N.I.M.U. and the S.I.M.U., but so far no decision has been ma'de and the law has not been altered, "In donclUsion," said Mr. Keenan, "my advice to motorists is to adhere to .the right-hand rule, but if by doing 'so it means an accident, then give way cheerfuliy and hope that bthers will ~do the same."