New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-16
HIGHWAY DANGERS
CAN Be MINIMIzED
Secretary of State Points
Out Necessity for
Vigilance.
BY MITCHELL MAY.
Secretary Of STATED

The subject of accidents upon the
public highways, always an interesting
one, is just now receiving much at
tention. OF course, any kind Of loco
motion, whether by land or sea or IN
the air. has its peculiar dangers, but
as the public highway is so intimately
and continuously connected with every
ones life, accidents upon II receive
the larger share of attention.
To begin with, every good driver
upon the road, whether Of horses or
motor cars, should thoroughly grasp
the fundamental fact that the pedes-
trian has in some places greater rights,
i'm others an equal and in still others
an inferior right Oh the roads IN rela-
ton to wheeled traffic, and he is sup
posed 10 take reasonable care OF NM
self and TO see that he does not reck-
lessy endanger himself and others.
There are dangers which the motor
car driver incurs every time he drives
along Il highway which are not IN inc
nature Of common ones. As generall!
understood, common dangers, lor IN
stance, include the chance OF collision.
with other vehicles at crossroads, OF
skidding OH a slippery pavement ana
many other well known risks Which
vary according to the trafiic, the con ,
dition Of the road and weather ana
many other circumstances when heed
not be considered here.
The driver Of motor car however
who aspires 70 clean record III inc
r,atter Of accidents has 70 be more
than ordinarily alert lie has TO eNerc
else i'm a special degree the quallty OF
fn NJ
cuIate beforehand what is likely TO
hammer under certain circumstances
which may, at first sight appear u"-
likely. it,. ,,oo,i,c,
"a overtakinp are especialiy liable
occurs when small children are holding
an Tho rear end Of wagons. Talking
~ The ton of their voices, they often
Lose SIGHT of the fact that other We
bicles NAV be overtaking and passing
them. A boy, perhaps. drops ms car
and suddenly relinquishes mis- hold 10
recover il, I'll.
OF course. in such n case the fault
lies primariiy with the child. But mo-
florists must treat children IN all cases
"a irrespon sible and careless. Nheh
cbildren's feet are seen underneath Il
vehicle TO which thew are clinging Ut
most caution should be exercised and
either an extra wide space allowed
when passing or the motorcar slowed
down 10 such an extent that an instant
stop can be made.
Now, however, the use OF the ROAD Is
being revived, and IT is just as danger
/ GUS to allow infirm and dear people 70
stray about upon the highways as II
would be to allow them to walk about
D 3 Is
II is foolish to imagine that the dan
gers of the road can be entirely elm
I mated or that any form Of locomotion
can become absolutely safe as regards
other users Of the highways. But
mental alertness while driving motor
car upon the highways has become
more than ever essential If the driver
would be a true master Of his craft.
The maxim that "the unexpected
often happens" should always be pres
ent in the minds Of the drivers. Fore..
| sight and caution are, IN the case OF
MANY we'll known and good drivers,
natural gifts, but others can cultivate
As regards the general public, the
v,idesnread ignorance and apathy as
/ "a the rules Of the road is one Of the
most unsatisfactory features manifest
ed on our highways to-day. Nearly
one-third Of the vehicular frame traV-
sis on the wrong side Of the road.
As a remedy for this almost universal
breaking of the rules of the road there
/ e. a reform which is not only desirable,
/ hut practical The rules OF the road
and the dangers Of the trathc should
70 ,ougbt I'm every elementary school
IL the country. There are probably no
children under the age Of ten or
twelve wears, and comparatively few
Cent answer TO the questions as to how
/ to cross a road, on which side TO drive
or walk, or where 10 look for special
Z