Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-12
SOME POINTS ON
HANDLING AGAR
ACCIDENTS RESULT THROUGH
lNExPEElENcE
Chauffeurs, and Particularly "Begln-
ners," Cannot Exercise Too
Much Care in Handling a
Machine

Chauffeurs, and particularly "begin-
ners." cannot exercise too much care
when driving their cars. Many serious
accidents have been the direct result
of the violation of this rule. 1t must
be remembered at all times that while
the up-to-date automobile has been
constructed with such nicely that 1t
can all but talk, it nevertheless requires
the guidance of a man possessed of a
knowledge of how to handle it.
The driver should, furthermore, culti-
vate a keen sense of judgment and
should never allow himself to become
excited, no matter what predicament he
finds himself in.
This is particularly necessary when
driving through the crowded city
streets, where obstacles are constantly
being met at a moments notice. When
approaching a street crossing the
chauffeur should always have his car
under complete control, for pedestrians
are wont to become bewildered when
they hear the horn, and oftenttmeS run
squarely in front of the auto in their
efforts to get out of it's road. Nothing
but a quick stop will in this instance
prevent an accident.
Railroad crossings and likewise street
car crossings should also be approached
with great care particularly where the
view is wholly or partially obstructed,
and the driver will do well to adopt an
invariable rule of having his machine
so well under control when approaching
these crossings that he will always be
able to stop before actually reaching
the tracks should a train or trolley car
suddenly and unexpectedly put in an
appearance.
When there are other passengers In
the automobile besides the driver the
latter must realize fully the RESPONSE
bilities which rest upon him, for their
lives as well as his are at stake and
there can be no satisfactory excuse
offered for carelessness which results
in accident. .
Careless driving has done much to
bring the automobile into diSrepute in
some rural districts, and, for the good
of the sport, it is to be hoped that
chauffeurs in general will leave no
stone unturned to overcome this dispo-
sition on the part of some of our good
country brethren to antagonize the au-
tomobile.
Farmer Deserves Consideration
The farmer is deserving of just as
much considera tion on the part of the
automobilist as is any other individual,
and it should be the aim of all drivers
to cultivate more wholesome friend
ship between themselves and the hard
working countryman.
And then, too, the machine itself de-
mands intelligent handling, If the
owner or driver is at all concerned as to
whether or not it continues to run more
than a few months. The life of an
automobile may be prolonged indef-
nitely by good usage.
There is a tendency on the part of
some chauffeurs to disregard anything
less than an actual breakdown and to
drive their machines long distances at
terrific speed, even though they know
some portion of the machinery is out
of order. Broken parts or parts out of
adjustment should be attended to i'm
mediately and a car should not be
taken out until every detail is in per-
feet condition.
Unnecessarily using the low gear is
quite as injurious to an automobile as
is the unnecessary use of the brake.
To be sure, there are times when the
low gear must be used in order to get
the required power, as in ascending
steep hills, ETC., but many chauffeurs
do not confine it's use to such occasions.
Others, too, invariably apply apply the
brake in turning corners, when the
speed should be governed entirely by
the throttle. The longevity of the en-
gine may and undoubtedly will be ma
terially increased by carefully following
out these suggestions.