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By P. G. Tucker I T has always been my view

6th December 1946
Page 32
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Page 32, 6th December 1946 — By P. G. Tucker I T has always been my view
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

that, but for the skill of the average driver of a commercial vehicle, there would be far more accidents levelled against him than there are at present. Even so, no one who takes a vehicle on to the highway should feel that he knows everything, for, no matter how great one's

knowledge in any direction, even the best of us can learn something.

Having held a driving licence for 35 years, during which period I have driven all types of vehicle from 15-cwt. vans up to 20-tonners, I feel some justification for putting before drivers in general a few pointers which have, undoubtedly, contributed towards a clean sheet in the matter of road accidents.

That one can drive for such a long period without becoming involved in an accident of arty kind cannot be all luck; in my opinion, it is primarily the result of using one's head to deduce the possible intentions of other road users, not, of course, forgetting the pedestrian.

Probably most drivers already put into practice many of the finer points that one would include in the higher technique of driving, but if only one of the items to be mentioned is found to be new to them, the purpose of this article will have been served.

Whilst a pedestrian may not prove to be the sufferer in a road accident, there are numerous ways in which the walker may contribute directly to a crash and .so involve the occupants of the vehicle or vehicles. Let us take a person who is evidently finishing a conversation with another and is, meantime, moving towards -the kerb, maybe to catch a bus on the other side of the road (Fig. 1). He or she is so preoccupied with the farewell that stepping into the roadway is done quite oblivious of oncoming traffic.

Now, it does not require a Sherlock Holmes to work out this situation, and the only action necessary is to give a short toot on the horn. Incidentally, no driver should make a practice of driving near the kerb, as it does not give a thoughtless pedestrian a chance.

When a woman decides to cross the road diagonally, with her back towards oncoming traffic, it is necessary to exercise extreme caution. If she be halfway across, in no circumstances should the horn be used, as this often proves disastrous. Whilst the safest course for her to take would be to carry on walking, she would probably stop, become flustered and endeavour to make a hasty retreat.

The course to adopt is to ease up to such an extent that a dead stop is possible, no warning of any kind being given.

Concerned with this situation is the woman who, when crossing in similar circumstances, will suddenly look into her shopping basket, discover shehas left her ration books at home, and immediately turn in her tracks (Fig,. 2). She should not be crossing in front of oncoming traffic, and she should not be looking into her basket, but people do these things and hence the need for intelligent anticipation.

Caution is obviously necessary when following a tram, as regards both alighting and boarding passengers (Fig. 3). It is truly remarkable how indifferent the public is to the danger of traffic. The risks people will run in order to save a few seconds in getting off a tram show that they, at least, have great confidence in the braking systems of motor vehicles in general.

The anxiety of potential boarding passengers is, perhaps, easier to understand, but the manner in which they surge on to the road in front of a motor vehicle is beyond comprehension. A tram that is slowing up should be watched carefully for boarding and alighting passengers, or a jay walker or vehicle testing the tram driver's ability to pull up the tram on its nose.

When a lorry driver sees a mass of people attempting to board a tram and, from observation, he knows that the tram cannot accommodate them all, he will realize that those left behind will endeavour to get back to the pavement as quickly as possible. There is only one correct thing to do, and that is to stop—not to give the impression that you are going to halt and yet. push through with a look of apology on your face.

When you see a pedestrian on a street corner hesitating to cross a road which leads into that on which you are driving, it is fairly safe to conclude that some form of vehicle is approaching. To drive at safe distance from the kerb and give one toot on the horn is. the procedure to follow.

Frequently public-service vehicles, unable to pull in to their' correct stopping places, will drop passengers well

away from the kerb. An observant driver will note that some of those who get off the bus will pass around the back of it (Fig. 4). He should not keep his foot dow-n, with his finger on the horn button, because there may be a youngster amongst the party who is so anxious to get home that he or she will make a dash for it.

As a general rule, women do not exercise their right to the road as do men and, in consequence, will wait for a vehicle to pass, provided that they have once seen it. Some men, on the other ' hand, will insist on making a crossing even if a vehicle be almost on top of them. The type can usually be identified by an attitude of complete indifference to a polite toot given at a distance.

If such a pedestrian does not glance towards you when you give warning, he is probably of the type that is saying to himself, ",.I'm crossing, wait for me." Of course, he may be deaf, but it is usual for persons so afflicted to use their eyes to a much greater extent than those with normal hearing.

One is up against a problem when dealing with cyclists, principally because a bicycle is so manceuvrable. However, it is always a safe measure to give a wide berth to a cyclist "taking off" from the kerb, because there is the tendency for the machine to be swung outwards as the rider counterbalances the thrust effort of his leg (Fig. 5).

The manner in which a cyclist mounts his machine should be a fair indication as to whether he or she be skilled or otherwise.

It is usually not safe to endeavour to overtake a cyclist who is well out in the centre of the road, if there be a turning to the, right. Furthermore, when approaching a roundabout, use extra care, as cyclists are apt to cut across instead of making a i asonable sweep.

If two or three cyclists come out of a side road and pass straight across your bows, it is as well to assume that there may be others who, forgetting the time factor, may think that they, too, can get,safely across.

If a driver be operating in a 'district with which he is familiar, he will prob ably know the route•taken by publicservice vehicles. He will note the destination boards, and know, for instance, when it may be. quite safe to 'overtake on the near side. Nevertheless, we must not forget the story of the driver who, having accomplished a nice piece of work, made the remark, "What's the matter with yer, 1 always turn up. 'ere."

There are many instances, in the London area for example, when the driver of a publicservice vehicle could say the same, but it would not help matters if you were the sufferer.

By noting the degree of acceleration of a tram after

a stop at the lights, a lorry driver can avoid hitting someone, or something, that may be playing the well-known street-game of "last

across." \.\\ A watch should • be kept on dog " lovers," who have a habit of calling their animals across the road when a vehicle is approaching (Fig. 6). Whilst it is the policy of some drivers never to swerve for a dog, it is human to avoid suffering, and most drivers will do their best even if it means complicating matters in other directions.

In some districts a driver would be more than fully occupied were he to devote his attention to every dog he saw not under control, but caution is necessary when observation shows that an animal is on one side of the road, and those "taking it for a walk" are on the other.

A dangerous situation can arise when the driver of an overtaking vehicle cuts in to avoid colliding with an oncoming machine which has cut out. Tha driver on the inside will have noted the driver cutting out, and he will know it is

physically impossible for the vehicle that is overtaking to avoid a collision without cutting in.

The driver who is being overtaken should ease up at once, otherwise be will at least have his front off-side wing ripped off. The whole situation represents gross bad driving, but 1 have to admit that cutting in, even without provocation, is indulged in far too much.

When driving in narrow, winding, country lanes on a sunny day, it is helpful to note the position of the sun in relation to possible oncoming vehicles. If the sun be in the correct position, it will throw a shadow which is visible to the driver a fraction of a second before he sees the approaching vehicle. That short period is sufficient to awaken him to a situation requiring extra concentration.

Reflections

Shop windows often serve as useful mirrors at road junctions, and may be responsible for giving just that extra warning that enables a driver to take suitable action to avoid a vehicle that may be joining a main road from a side turning, or vice versa (Fig. 7).

It is often possible to deduce from the front wheels of a vehicle that may be facing you at the traffic lights, whether the driver intends to go straight ahead, or turn to the right across your bows. A driver wishing to do this should pull forward and wait in the " neutral " zone, but if he be one of the type who thinks he is the only driver on the road, then he may endeavour to sweep over on the amber.

There are numerous other driving pointers to which reference could he made, but it is hoped that those mentioned may lead to the cultivation of the practice of thinking well ahead when at the wheel. The result would be an easing of the accelerator immediately following the rapid build-up of a mental picture of what the situation would be in the next five or 10 seconds.

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Locations: London

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