How To Drive A Motorcar
A Key To The Subtleties Of Motoring

CHAPTER XV Notes in Epitome THE first requisite for all motorists is that of cool- ness, and coupled with this should invariably run a strong undercurrent of gentlemanly behaviour. Luckily the road hog is in a distinct minority in the various classes of motoring, but never- theless there are still a number of people who are not quite so considerate in their driving principles and man- ners as one would wish to see them ; some from selfish- ness and some from ignorance. It is almost impossible to define any series of specific instances to make the point more lucid, but the whole gist of nice road manners turns on the pivot of considerateness. This word should have an all-embrac- ing width of meaning, not only to other road users as such and to humanity, but even to mere animal life of the small order, which one meets ever and anon in the course of one’s travels. For instance, it ought not to be too much to ask a driver of a car to give due consideration to the safety of so insignificant a thing as a frog, for instance, which may be finding its way across the road from one pool to another. Similarly with hens, chickens and dogs. In all such cases a motorist should take all reasonable precautions not to endanger their lives or limbs. There are odd occasions which occur when it would be wrong for a motorist to pay attention to such things if it was a case where his own safety and that of the occupants of the car, or other people’s safety on the road would really be endangered. For instance, when one is travelling at a good speed on a greasy road or in a confined space and a dog or 129 1