HOLIDAY SMASHES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 146, 12 February 1932, Page 7

HOLIDAY SMASHES

USUALLY RESULT OF CARELESSNESS BY SOMEONE. CARE IN DRIVING. Most holiday smashes are the direct result of carelessness on the part of someone. Most collisions take place at blind corners because of someone eorneriiig too wide, owing either to excessive speed, laziness, or pure carelessness. Then there are driver s who are impatient or over-competitive; They are likely to cause collisions on straight rbads hy trying to pass slower vehicles in the face of approaehing traffic which is too close, or by accelerating as another driver tries to pass. Slow drivers also have a responsibility, which is to keep in as close as possible to the left side of the xoad, and to make way promptly for others, for most main roads, if properly used, can carry three- lines of traffic. A very common cause of aecident is passing when there is not a elear view

ahead. This includes passing near the crest of a hill or raised bridge, or close to a blind corner or cross-roads. What is safe speed depends on circumstanfees, and it may vary from, as fast as the car will travel down to remaining stationary. Never drive faster than will allow the car to he stopped within the range bf view ahead, or at such a speed that any difficulty in controlling is felt. W eak_ hesses in tyres, wheels, steering or brakes shbuld impose a severe lirnit on speed. It is a common mistake to rely on the horn for ensuring a clear way at intersections or corners. It should ,he rememhered that the other driver may also he sounding the horn, which will probably drown the sound of the other one, or he may he deaf, or his car may rattle so much as to smother all external noises.