The little things

Big campaigns for good roads, safety and lower motoring taxes defined the NRMA’s early years, but the association also kept itself busy devising solutions to a number of smaller, more unusual issues of the day.

Hand signals

Driving signals were an ongoing concern for the NRMA. In the 1920s, cars had no electric indicators, meaning motorists had to rely on a series of hand signals instead. “Drivers must make signals in a timely, unmistakable manner for the sake of safety,” said Mr C. N. Neale, Deputy Commissioner for Road Transport, in 1927.

Closed windows

The NRMA warned members of the dangerous practice of driving with the driver’s side window closed. Apart from the possibility of occupants being affected by carbon monoxide fumes, the closed window did not allow the driver to give proper turning and stopping signals.

White gloves

In 1931, the NRMA suggested motorists wear a white glove on their right (or signalling) hand when driving at night. This would enable signals to be seen much more easily and possibly prevent an accident when a right-hand turn was about to be made on a busy thoroughfare.

Thirsty horses

In 1933, the NRMA asked its members not to fill their radiators up at horse troughs in the city because it was leaving the horses thirsty.

Bridge horse ban

The NRMA lobbied – successfully – to have horse-drawn vehicles banned from the Sydney Harbour Bridge not long after it opened because they were slowing up traffic.

Saving dogs

The NRMA lobbied to give dogs the legal right to the road, ensuring they couldn’t be deliberately run down by a car.

Dazzling headlights

The NRMA argued that a car with dazzling headlights was an unmitigated nuisance as well as a decided danger on the roads at night. NRMA patrols were always on hand to adjust members’ glaring headlights.

Ignored indicators

The NRMA lobbied aggressively to bring to account motorists who ignored turn signals. It also waged war on jaywalkers, demanding more severe penalties for those who transgressed.

Horn signal code

Members were urged to use their horns to sound the NRMA’s running signal code (similar to Morse code) for things like ‘slow down’ (•••) and ‘move over’ (•—). “These two signals, if regularly used, will be found to be immensely helpful on the road,” the NRMA said.