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SAFETY HINTS FOR MOTOR DRIVERS.,

29th July 1924, Page 18
29th July 1924
Page 18
Page 18, 29th July 1924 — SAFETY HINTS FOR MOTOR DRIVERS.,
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A New Set of Cardinal Rules which are Recommended for Adoption by all who Use the Highways.

THE National "Safety First" Association, which comprises the British Industrial " Safety First" Association and the London and other " Safety First" Councils, and of which Lt."-Col. 3. A. A. Pickard, D.S.O., is the general secretary, with offices at 119, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, has issued a new set of rules that have been prepared by collaboration, advice from all quarters having been sought and adopted. No claim for originality is made for them, nor, it is asserted, are they designed to cover every possible hazard, hut, if they are followed, the roads would become safer for all and sundry, and one would hear fewer complaints of the heedlessness of motor drivers.

The six cardinal rules for safe driving ai e :1.—Always keep your eyes open and your wits alert.

2.—Always drive as you would wish others to drive. , 3.—Always keep yourself and your vehicle in safe driving order.

4.—Always anticipate danger. 5.—Learn, give and obey the recognized traffic signals . 6.--Obey the law, in letter and spirit. Each of these rules has been amplified and explained in a few succinct phrases. Thus the rule which may have the title of " Attention " given to it, namely, " Always keep your eyes open and your wits alert ' is thus_ developed:— The human element is to blame in the vast majority of accidents.

Undivided attention must be giveh to the task of driving a car.

Cultivate road sense. ..

More accidents are due to carelessness and thoughtlessness than to ignorance.

Use common sense to ensure safe driving.

The second rule, which asks that drivers should always d,rive as they would wish others to drive is described as the " Courtesy " ride.

Drive carefully, considerately and courteously, we are asked; for it is dangerous and discourteous :—To take corners on the wrong side, to cut in or to cut things too fine, to assume that the road is clear, to overtake at corners, bends, crossroads, road junctions, just before street refuges, or anywhere wit:lent the certain knowledge of a clear road, to turn into or out of a road except dead slow, to drive so that you cannot pull up clear of any pos

sible danger, to assume your warning signal is heard if no notice be taken of it, to descend hill§ too fast, to force your WO through groups Of persons boardtog or alighting from tranucars, to drive too close to, or too fast past, Other road users, to leave a vehicle on a bend, or anywhere where it may be ;in obstruction to other traffic, or to reverse unless you know that all is clear.

Moreover, we are reminded that it is courteous and considerate :—To keep well to the left, to overtake only after making sure that the road is clear, and after giving warning, to listen for warning signals from the rear, and to signal on overtaking traffic, if the road ahead is clear, to use your horn with discretion, and to exercise special care in passing all anin4s.

The third rule (" Always keep yourself and your vehicle in safe driving order ") deals with control and is amplified thus:—Be completely master of your vehicle. Don't drive if you are not physically fit to do so. Frequently inspect your vehicle. Alwayk keep brakes and steering in faultless condition. 'Keep all your lamps in good order. Never leave a vehicle unattended unless it is fully secure.

The fourth rule (" Always anticipate danger ") is a very wise one. Don't imagine that people—especially children—or animals can always be trusted to do the sensible thing. Be prepared for anyone else on the road doing the wiong thing. Beware of pedestrians stepping suddenly off the footway. Don't drive fast past schools or through populous places. Be specially careful when driving on tramlines and on greasy or cambered roads. Don't apply brakes suddenly or violently except in cases of extreme emergency. Learn bow to correct a skid. Beware of following other vehicles too closely— especially trams. Beware of vehicles suddenly turning out of their line of traffic. Always remember that main-road traffic has not right of way over other traffic.

The fifth rule urges the driver to learn, give and obey the recognized traffic signals. Don't slow doWn, stop, turn, or cross to the wrong side of the road without endeavouring to show your intention to following traffic by giving the recognized signal. The mere giving of a signal does not entitle you to obstruct other traffic. Always look out for the signals of the driver of the vehicle in front of you. Always look out for, and promptly :obey, police signals. Always pay attention to warning signs.

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Locations: London

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