New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-08
AUTO NEWS OF THE DAY
Women Drivers Are Reckless,
Detroit Policemen Say.
TRUCK CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Organization Plans to Enroll
Users in Order to Fight Men
acing Legislation.

Detroit policemen, who. apart from
those Of New York, probably have more
TO do with automobiles than those of any
other city in the country, ungallantly
stamp women as the most careless, not
10 say reckless, drivers with whom they
have 10 deal. Quite recently a Detroit
policeman was unfortunate enough to get
in the way Of an electric car driven by a
woman. and. as is usually the case. he
came to in a hospital
The incident has started the Detroit
guardians Of the peace To discussing the
relative shortcomings Of the two sexes, so
far as handling car goes, and they APP
pear TO agree that more women drive
recklessly than do men. The reckless
since women have graduated from cleo
tries TO gasoene driven cars.
Pedestrians are absolutely at the mer-
cy Of women drivers Of gasoiene cars.
said one policeman. They go faster than
man would dare; they make short and
reckless turns a man would never at
tempt. and they frequently disregard
traffic policemen's signals, relying on
their sex 10 save them from the humilia-
ton OF public censure.
That there are not more accidents on
the streets due 10 women driving fast is
matter of luck" said a sergeant OF
police. "On an afternoon a woman who
owns an electric machine will drive 10
the homes OF several friends and take
them out for ride. The motor car ride
soon resembles a social call. discussion
starts, and the woman who Is driving be-
comes oblivious 10 her surroundings She
pays no attention 90 where the car Is
going Several collisions between electric
and street cars or other vehicles are di-
rectly traceable TO these afternoon socia!
parties, which are worse, in many re-
spccts. than Joy rides
Convinced that its greatest field Of use
funess lies not exclusively In the trade
but as an organization of motor truck
owners and users. the Motor Truck Club
has inaugurated membership campaign
with a special view TO their enrolment.
The campaign was launched at the
monthly meeting OF the club few days
ago, and has already obtained momen-
tum which promises 10 greatly increase
the clubs membership and effectiveness.
The Motor Truck Club has been little
understood by business men until recent
~. when its efforts on behalf OF users TO
prevent the enactment OF damaging legis-
lation aroused truck owners 10 the neces-
sIty OF some such organization. The
greatest obstacle the motor truck has Is
the fact that very few people thoroughly
understand its relation 10 traffic, eco
nomic and civic questions.
The clubs work is intended TO be OF
educational influence for all concerned.
But for It's energetic work several states
would have passed laws placing serious
special taxation upon motor vehicles and
restricting their rights in the use of
streets In such "A way as would cripple
the extension of motor truck equipment.
The order OF starting in the Grand Prix
race on July u from Amiens will be as
follows: I, Sunbeam 2, Delage; 3, opel;
4. Mathis: ). Excelsior; g. Thee. Schneider;
I. italia; s, Peugeot; 9, Sunbeam: 10, De-
Iage: II. Excelsior; Il, Theo. Schneider;
70. Itala A. Peugeot; 10, Sunbeam; l6,
Theo. Schneider; II. italia; IS. Peugeot; 10.
Sunbeam: 90 Theo. Schneider.