SAFETY FIRST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 682, 7 November 1933, Page 2

SAFETY FIRST

CAREFUL DRIYING NOT SHOWN BY COiNTINUAL SOUNl5iNG OF HORN. SOMjEi POINTS TO REMEMBER. It is no evidence of careful driving to be continually sounding the h'orn. Too prodigal use of the motorist's warning device has bred a familiardty that makes for carelessness on thepart of those it is intended to warn Further, there are such phenomena as deaf people. In any ciase, a blast on the horn often so startles people as to provide the very action the motorist desires them to avoid. A well-known road 'is no anxietyv Its risks can be anticipated. But even here a seasonal change may ibriiug its unlooked-for danger. To the motorist, "Safety First"' should mean a continual and careful safeguarding of not only pedestrians, but of all others, including the occupants of his owh car. In the actual driving, all the requirements of "Safety First" will be met if at all times the driver is conscientiously carefui. The expert motorist will understand what is meant by conscientious care, but for the benefit of the less experienced it may be permissible to drop a few hints about things that should receive his special attention. Never drive so fast that you think you are taking a risk. Fifty miles an hour on some roads is safer than twenty on others. Keep your car well under control, sothat you can meet any conditions to be encountered on the road being travelled. Be piarticularly careful to heed the warning signs erected by those knoW"iragi probably far more than you do about the local conditions. Always slow down for eross-roads, intersections, and corners. Remember that children and animals cannot be depended upon to behave in a rational way when suddenly confronted by danger. Drive slowly past schools, or any other place where children are at play and may run heedlessly into the roadway at any moment. Unless the roiad he a familiar one, fast driving should not he indulged in — even on the most tempting* surfaces. This applies especia^ly to night driving. Always keep the car well in h'and when descending long and especially unknown hills — fwith the engine iil a lower igear. Acting as a drag, the engine reduces brake we,ar and chances of failure. iWhen leaving the car on a downgrade, turn the wheels so that the car will run into the kerb or bank and stop if it should start during your absence. Do not leave your car so that it will be an inconvenience to others. If on no other' accouht, it is to one's personal advanta'ge always, and contributes to the maintenance of good feeling towards motorists, that due regard be paid to other users of the road. Much bitterness is engendered and kept alive'by disregarding the fact that others have an equal right to be there. To miss pedestrians and cylists by a hair's breadth when there is plenty of room and other such inconsiderate behaviour is not only reprehensfble, but altogether unnecessary, besides involving a grave risk to all concerned, including the car and its occupants. It is better to be five minutes late in arriving than those hours trying to explain away an accident. Eternal vigilance, courtesy, and sound judgment, fully exercised, not only will make motorimg the pleasure it is intended to be, but will do what prevalent conditions demand — |that is avoid accidents.