SAFETY FIRST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 725, 28 December 1933, Page 7

SAFETY FIRST

NECESSARY RESMINDERS ' FOR MOTORISTS ON TOUR More cars on the roads during the coming holidays and, unfortunately, a certainty of more accidents. It is no evidence of careful driving to be continually sounding the horn. Too prodigal use of the mbtorist's warning device has bred a familiarity that makes for carelessness on the part of those it is intended to warn. Further, there are such phennomena as deaf people. In any case, a blast on the horn often so startles people as to provoke the very action the motirist desires them to avod. A well-known road is no anxiety. Its risks can be anticipated. But even here a seasonal change may bring its unlooked-for danger. To the motorist 'safety first" should mean a eontinual and careful safeguarding of not only pedestrians, but of all others, including the oceupants of his own car. In the actual driving, all the requirements of "Safety First" will be met if at all times the driver is conseientiously careful. The expert motorists will understand wh'at 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 20 on others. Keep your car well under control, so that you can meet any conditions to be encountered on the road being travelled. Be particularly careful to heed the warning signs ereeted by those knowing probably far more than you do about the loea.1 conditions. Always slow down for cross 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. ITnless the road be a familiar one, fast driving should not be indulged in — even on the most tempting surfaces. This applies especially to night driving. _ - Always keep the car well in hand j when descending long and especially ' unknown hills — with the engine in a lower gear. Acting as a drag, the engine reduces brake wear and chances of failure. When leaving the car on a down grade 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 othei*s. If, on no other account, it is to one's personal advantage always, and contributes to the maintenance of a 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 rig'ht to be here. _ ! To miss pedestrians and cyclists ; by a hairsbreadth when there is plenty ; of room and other such inconsiderate behaviour is not only reprehensible, but altogether unnecessary, besides involving a grave risk to all concerned, including the car and its oc- j cupants. i It is better to be five minutes late , in arriving than those hours trying ! to explain away an accident. j Eternal vigilance, courtesy, and ; sound judgment, fully exercised, not ; only will malce motoring the pleasure ; it is intended to be, but will do what prevalent conditions demand — that is avoid accidents.