ONE FOOL ENOUGH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 6

ONE FOOL ENOUGH

INTERSECTION SPEEDS GISBORNE’S MOTORISTS “WORST IN DOMINION" OBSERVATION OF RULES “One 'fool is enough at an intersection,” s'aid 'the chairman. Mr. F. Tolerton, yesterday afternoon at a meeting of the Gisborne advisory committee of the Automobile Association (Auckland). Motorists speeding across intersections and the general slackness .of Gisborne motorists in connection with the observance of the right-hand rule and signalling their intention to turn or stop were the matters rider consideration. Members of the committee 'agreed to co-operate with the borough traffic | inspector, Mr. T. G. Nowell, in an 1 effort to correct offending drivers. When itihey observe a breach of the right-hand" rule or the failure to give courtesy signals on the part of any driver a note will be taken of the offender’s registration number, which ! will be handed to the inspector. It i was agreed to do that so that a warnj ing could be issued through the proper channels; only one .warning to foe j given. “Taxi Drivers Also Lax.” “It is criminal the why some people treat the simple traffic regulations in Gisborne, .and some of the taxi drivers are also lax in this respect,” said Mr. Tolerton in introducing the subject. The resident A.A. patrol, Mr. G. V. Merton, said he (had taken particular I notice o.f the conduct of traffic during | the past month, and he outlined a few j of liis experiences with traffic that ; failed to give the right of way to him. | Drivers who did understand the rule ; did not obey it now Jbeeause of those | who disregarded the the other man’s ! right. If they were to put their hand | in the stop position .when pulling up ! for traffic on their right, Mr. Merton ; said, that would give the other driver an idea what 'Was going to happen. Unfortunately, that was seldom the case. Over SO per cent did not understand the right-hand rule. Asked to Ibe present to discuss the question with the committee, Mr. Nowell said that alii new drivers were acquainted with the rules of the road before being given their licenses. (He agreed that many of the offenders were drivers with some experience and who should know better. - Gisborne’s Reputation. “Gisborne is regarded as itfoe worst place in (New Zealand for its lack of proper signals,” 'said the secretary, Mr. George Craws haw, who added that he had learned that fact from visitors. “I am certain that it would foe a good practice to get accustomed to give the correct signals even though there may toe no one following,” Mr. Craiwshaw said. “That would be an advantage because drivers would finally give their signals automaticairy.” Mr. A. B'aillie: It is absolute .carelessness in most eases. 'Mr. .Tolerton then suggested that members o,f the /committee should keep a watch on motorists and report to the inspeotor in an endeavour to educate the public. (Mr. E. Swinnerton: They are too tired to give the correct signals; you can see that in the attitude of some drivers when making casual signals with their arms.

“When approaching or crossing an intersection not controlled by an officer or traffic lights, give way to any vehicle that is not changing its course on your right. If you are changing diredtion yourself, give way to all other traffic. It is an offence to increase your speed while approaching an intersection,” said Mr. Nowell, quoting Ifrom regulations 'l4 hnd 15 of the IRoad Code. Inspector’s Warning.

“Time and again drivers will accelerate to (beat another driver for the right of way. In future I will have no hesitation 'at all in taking a prosecution,” he said. !To indicate his meaning more plainly he said a driver 'would foe observing the right-hand rule at the Peel street intersection and, while he whs giving wlay 'to one or possibly two cars, others .would speed up while travelling down Gladstone road so as to get piasft the stationary car before he could continue on ihis intended course. Normally the cars behind should have Carried on 'at their normal speeds and the waiting vehicle would have had an opportunity 'to get clear before they had come up; on his right. Those present were Messrs. F. Toler.ton, chairman, A. ißaillie, C. J. iCox, E. iSwinnerton, E. W. Forrest, H. H. De ,Costa, F. 'R. ißould, :N. H. Bull, Dr. A. L. iSinger, and the secretary, Mr. G. CraWshaw. The W’hakatane patrol, Mr. C. Walker, was also present. Apologies (for absence were received from Messrs. L. Miles and V. Butler.