![Thumbnail: [No. 54 (March 1966) page 21]](/journals/teaohou/images/Mao54TeA/Mao54TeA021(t150).jpg)
Drivers' Carelessness Can Lead to Death
Cities are not the only places where cars and trucks are a danger to pedestrians. Wherever there is a road, there exist hazardous areas where drivers should anticipate danger and guard against unexpected situations.
Some of the old cars driven on farms are in a highly dangerous condition. When a car's brakes are defective, it should not be used. A driver MUST be able to pull up quickly in an emergency.
Little Children Are Often Victims
Little children are likely to run out on to the road at any time without warning and they are often the victims of accidents. Adults can also be guilty of walking into trouble while thinking of other things.
A particular danger, especially to small children, is a car or truck backing. Little ones can get under the wheels and not be seen. This has caused a number of deaths.
Overloaded cars, dangerous travelling on trays of trucks and skylarking in cars have all contributed to road deaths.
Speed has a fascination for some people. It gives them a feeling of exhilaration and power. But the results of speed and carelessness are not pretty.
Most Accidents Occur at Crossroads
Most accidents occur at crossroads. It is here that the greatest care must be taken. The law says ‘give way to traffic on your right, including cyclists, or if you are turning right give way to all traffic’. Commonsense also tells you to be prepared for the person on your left not obeying the law. If everyone obeyed the laws of the land and the laws of commonsense there would be few accidents.
There are a great number of Maori drivers of cars and heavy trucks, and it is up to them to set a good example and drive safely and well. Most do, but there are still many who drive as if they were the only ones on the road. Take a pride in driving safely and well and encourage others to do the same.
And above all, if you are drinking. DON'T DRIVE.
