ROAD SAFETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1940, Page 9

ROAD SAFETY

DRIVING IN PROCESSION. DANGER TO BE AVOIDED. “If you can avoid processional driving, do so,” says the latest road safety message of the Wairarapa Automobile Association. "As of habit, many motorists make it a rule to follow a certain road to or from their homes and places of business in the mornings or evenings, and the same rule is followed on weekend occasions. This practice invariably leads to congestion and processional driving, which creates driving risk, causes delays, and waste of fuel, through continual acceleration and deceleration. “The dhief danger springs from vehicles being driven too close to each other with the risk of rear-end collisions. It is wise to apply the half distance rule at all times, that is'so io drive that your speed will allow yOu to stop within half the distance of clear road ahead. It is not always practicable for the driver ahead to signal his intention to stop because of some cause which you cannot see. and it may happen that the '‘stop" light is lacking in effective warning. Clearly, then, your speed must not exceed your ability to come to an emergency stop and avoid a rear-end collision.

“In .the early evenings it is not possible to see that traffic, perhaps a pedestrian or cyclist, may be in front of the car you are following, and you should give your full attention, in any case, to the car immediately in front. Give yourself an honest answer to the standing question:—‘lf he stops suddenly can I stop in safety?’ You will find an answer easy if you travel at a reasonable speed, provide sufficient space in which to stop, and give your whole attention to your driving. Avoid popular thoroughfares where the congestion occurs, use an alternative route where it is available and you will save time, fuel, and submit yourself to less irritation and risk of danger for the reasons stated. Tramway routes are frequently the worst to follow.”