SAFETY FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 151, 23 December 1929, Page 12

SAFETY FIRST

SOME ENGLISH RULES

CAUSES OF ACCIDENT

SPEED—-CHIEF CULPRIT

The National Safety First Association, London, each year issues a handy booklet for tho guidance and assistance of motorists in the Old Country, and many of tho points made have as great an application here as in England and Scotland. A graph, "The Toll of the Road," is tho first and most convincing argument put forward for the need of practising safety first to-day, to-morrow and all the time. Expressed in figures instead of Hues, the graph shows that the accident rate has gone up as folloivs (all street accidents given first, motor accidents second: 1918, 35,000, 15,000; 1920, 56,000, 34,000; 1922, 70,000, 44,000; 1924, 90,----000, 68,000; 1926, 125,000, 91,000; 1927 (last year shown), 135,000, 100,000. In those ten years the 'number of all street accidents has gone up almost four times and the number of motor accidents has increased almost seven times, a terrific rate of increase which, the graph indicates, is likely to climb still more steeply unless all road users recognise where speed and careless usages are taking them to. It is pointed out in an introductory paragraph that statistics show that inexperience is not a frequent direct contributory cause in motor accidents. "Whilst there may be little in these pages not already known to the seasoned driver," yet neglect of the various rules and courtesies set out hereafter is the prime cause of the bulk of avoidable motor accidents." MAIN CAUSES. The four main causes of accident are dealt wtili separately:— Speed.—Regulate speed aeording to all the circumstances. Excessive speed, having regard to all the circumstances, is one of the most prolific causes of accidents. The modern capacity for quick acceleration and powerful braking is as much a danger if misused as it is an aid to safety when skilfully used. The essence of road sense is to regulate speed so as to be able to stop clear of all possible danger. A speed of only five miles an hour under certain conditions can be more dangerous than even ten times that speed under different conditions. Many, drivers underestimate the distance within which they can pull wp in emergency, and expect mechanical impossibilities from all wheel brakes. Reduce speed when approaching blind corners or road junctions; schools, or other places where people congregate; on tram lines or slippery surfaces (particularly at the start or end of a ■shower); when descending hills the engaging of a low gear is a wise precaution, whilst coasting in neutral is always risky; when passing unattended animals; on observing warning hand signals or speed limit or danger signs; and wherever else common souse indicates the possibility of unseen danger. In regard to road junctions, the following general advice is given: Kelj on sight, not only on sounding the horn; if turning to left or right give way to traffic proceeding straight ahead, which means travelling slowlj enough to stop dead unless the road i scon to be clear; keep well to the pro per half of the road. Where view ai cross-roads is restricted speed shoulc be reduced and tho horn sounded, nol a continuous blast, nor too far bact from the intersection; listen for ar answering warning. If following clos< behind another car whose horn if sounded at a road junction, there i: no need also to toot, as it may lead t( confusion. Keeping to the left.—Keep well t( the left, and give as much clear roon aa possible to both overtaking and on coming traffic. It is selfish and danger provoking to hug the crown^ of th< road, and may seriously reo/i^e thi carrying capacity of the road, hold U] traffic, and inspire much dangerous cut ting in and out or overtaking on thi wrong side. Many accidents are caused by fail ure to keep to the left, particularly when cornering where view is restrict cd. In apportioning responsibility fo an accident the position of the vehicle relative to the near side of the roai is a most important factor. CRAZE FOR OVERTAKING. Overtaking.—Tho cr;ize for ovortak ing, regardless of the convenience o others, is one of the worst faults o Ihc road, and is by no means conimei to any particular type of vehicle. The golden rule for overtaking i to do so only when there is obviousl' sufficient time and space. "Cuttin] in" ■or "cutting out" which cause either overtaken, overtaking, or on coming traffic to brake or swerv sharply to avoid collision with th overtakcr is indefensible. A form o "cutting out" which gives much trou ble is when a driver, pulls out from th pavement without first giving a signa and without considering other traffic Overtaking any venicle on the left in stead of the right, except a tramcai is rarely justifiable. Without unol structed view corners, bends, eros roads, road junctions, arched bridge! humps in the road, on the wrong sid of white lines, narrow streets, or, ir deed, anywhere without a clear, certai knowledge of the road ahead, it i highly dangerous to overtako othe vehicles. A reserve of power is necessary t overtake and get back into prope line without checking other traffit without such reserve favourable oppoi tunities should be awaited, particulai ly in heavy traffic. On the open roa it is generally advisable to sound th horn before overtaking. To ensur free traffic flow reasonable overtakin is essential, and all traffic should c( operate to this end. Listen for wan ing signals from the rear; made propc use of the driving mirror, and whei ever helpful, signal on overtaking tra: fie if the road ahead is clear or war it if the way is not clear.