Always Automobiles

Hot Rods and Racing Cars #68
March 1964

Now how you do make a left turn? If you are driving in a single lane, then you give the signal for a left turn, and make it. This presents no problem. Your car can't be any other place except where it is. True, the cars behind you will have to wait until you have made that turn. Now you are going through the city and there are two lanes of traffic. Where should you be in order to make that left turn? You might notice a sign that reads: "Keep right except to pass."

In such a case you legally should be driving in your right lane. Then a short distance before you want to make that left turn, you swing into your left lane. And you make your left turn. I live facing a crowded main thoroughfare. And because traffic is heavy, a car wanting to make a turn in such a fashion, could tie up traffic behind for some distance. So they have installed "Left turning lanes." Actually this is a third lane for half a city block. You swing into it half the distance of that city block and go to the end of the block. Then wait until it is legal and safe to make that left turn.

So most of us condition ourselves to get into a left lane in order to make that left turn. What about the rest of us? That depends where we drive in addition to our regular driving. On our throughways and highways we have to keep in mind that the exit road is on our right. Therefore if we want to make either a right or left turn off that highway, we keep to the right. Get off the exit road. Then, normally we make a choice of continuing or going in the other direction, once we are on the other road.

When I travel in my neighboring state, their highways go through many towns. And they ues the idea of turning right to turn left. Crossing back on the highways you just left. How is this done? You make your right turn, go along a short U-road, make another turn which is into the road that crosses your highway. And there are traffic lights for you to observe.

Evidentally you must be alert to know in which lane to be when you want to make your proper turn. Your dangerous situation arises when you find yourself in the wrong lane turn. What should you do? Do what that driver did; shout? Or something else? Well, let's see exactly what else you can do? We'll put you in the driver's seat. And just now you are in the wrong lane — next to my car. Shall you throw that lever underneath your driver's wheel for a left turn? Go ahead and do it — and think clearly of what happens to me. I can't either see your light blinking in back or in front to tell me you want to make that left turn. So try to make it as I step on the gas — and we'll smash.

You might think it intelligent to shout at me. And even tell me to warn the driver on my left you want to make that turn. I have some news left you want to make that turn. I have some for you — you can't force me into that position. Go consult your attorney or call up your Motor Bureau. You will have to admit at the same time you are wrong. You might think of doing what you've seen some drivers do: Swing ahead to the left so you cut me off and that other driver sees you. You are still partially in your lane and my lane. That driver on my left might get so mad, he'll figure he can go ahead of you. And the chain reaction of smashes we can get!

I maintain there is only one safe and legal thing for you to do under these circumstances: Go ahead and get out of your way — if that's how you want to put it. Until you get in the correct lane to make your turn. Then you might have to double back. Or go through some side streets to get to your destination. Now how much time can you really lose this way? Five minutes, eight minutes, or even ten minutes at the most? Isn't this much better than losing weeks in a hospital while recovering from your injuries.

My wife goes with me when I make my road studies. So we "deliberately" missed our left turns. Then continuped until we could make the next legal left turn. At no time did the time we "lost" exceed eight minutes. And don't tell me there is any important thing so vital you can't afford to use up those few extra minutes. And the same bit of safe driving philosophy applies to you when driving on your throughway, turnpike, or super-highway.

You wanted to get off at exit 17 and you just missed it? Psychologically speaking in every day language, "it aggravates you. How could you make such a foolish mistake." So you will rectify it. You aren't going on to the next exit-no sir! Now what are you going to do this is unsafe — and illegal? There might be a shoulder on the side and you swing into it and then start backing up. Or you'll just back up on your left lane until you get back into position to make that exit turn. Provided you and the car are in one piece.

Unfortunately you now set up a space-illusion for the car in back of you on the left lane. You are moving — and he might not once realize you are moving backwards. To him it might seem you are going forward. Why this illusion? Because he has been driving for five hours and all he has seen is what he should normally see — the cars on his lane going ahead. It might be his brain tells him you are slowing down a bit. By the time he jams on his brakes — it is too late.

So go ahead to the next exit. Even if it is ten miles away. At a mile a minute on your highway — you lose ten going and ten coming back. Still a cheap safety bargain at that rate. So make it your best safety rule — no matter whether you are on your city highway, parkway, or highways — continue until you are in the proper lane for the turn.

It can be Prevented

It was going to be one of those pleasant excursion days. A group of people were at the pier waiting for the vessel to come and take them for a day's outing. Most of them carried picnic lunches. A car drove up to the pier. There was a man at the wheel and his wife sat next to him. He got out of the car which he parked to unload some picnic baskets he was carrying. His wife, a non-driver, was sliding across the driver's seat to get out on that side, when her elbow knocked the shift button into drive position. While her foot brushed the accelerator.

The car shot forward about eight feet. Side-swiping a police car and then it rammed into four walking persons. Sent them sprawling over a low guard rail into the river. Two were hurt and one died. The auto was saved from rocketing into the river by a cleat of wood that caught the under-carriage as the left wheel rode up onto the top of the pier string piece. Now how did this tragic accident happen? Can you prevent this from happening to you?

There's an old saying which in one of its forms goes something like this: "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. Since this was a car with automatic transmittion, we will limit the situation to that type of car. Either it is the button type or the lever type. First rule: Even if you think you are going to stop or park for a few "seconds", shift into neutral or parked; turn the motor off; and set the emergency brake. Second rule: Your passenger should get off on the right hand side. And so should you. I am well aware that you might park with the right side of the car flush to a wall. Or up against a high curb so that you can't open the right side door. In such a situation, you would havev to to get out of the car on the left side. But be sure the motor is off and the hand brake set.

Evidently you could have a similar situation under different circumstances. You are the front car waiting for a long red light to change to green. Your foot is on your foot brake only. Your car is in "Drive." Which means that when you release the foot brake your car will go ahead. At the same time your will shift that foot to your accelerator. But suppose the passenger at your side suddenly turned towards you. Something important struck her mind and she wants to tell it to you. Her left foot hits the accelerator and you lighten up on your brake. Then what? Your car will shoot ahead.

There are people who when they have to wait for th long red light shift the lever or move the button into "Neutral." They feel that this is a safe thing to do. And it can become an automatic habit. So it is mentioned for your consideration.

THE END