ROAD SAFETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1940, Page 9

ROAD SAFETY

FAILURE TO GIVE WAY. MOST FREQUENT CAUSE OF COLLISIONS. “According to a recent analysis of accident causes compiled by the Transport Department the most frequent cause of collisions between motor-ve-hicles was failure to give way,” says the latest road safety message of .the , Wairarapa Automobile Association. / “Actually, 30 per cent of the collisions attributed to the fault mentioned. It is at intersections, principally, where accidents involving the right-of-way occur, and, when things are considered calmly and sensibly, there is no reason why there should be so much trouble over such a simple rule as that of giving way to the driver on one’s right, or off-side. If motorists are keeping a proper lookout and are approaching an intersection at a legal, reasonable speed, sufficient to allow of an emergency stop of necessary, there should be no trouble. “The fault lies, however, in the exercise of unreasonable speed, and in some drivers demanding so-called wgms in relation to other vehicles. Some drivers use high speed and a cous warning device to take precedence at intersections no matter what the conditions, and it is this class of motorist who lands himself and others in trouble sooner or later. Wise, safe motorists are those who know the) regulations and act up . to them but not so slavishly that, come what may, they will exercise their rights. There is no sense nor safety in behaving intolerantly towards other traffic, but that is exactly what motorists do when they take risks in seeking to be first at all times. Patience, tolerance, and judgment are the antidotes of the fault of failing to give way to the other fellow.”