The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-02
THE MOTOR DANGER.
suggestions for Curling Reckless Auto
mobile Drivers.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUS--Sr: AS
was struck by an automobile and very
bad cash made in my arm not so very
long ago. ! feel qualified to lass on
safety first" as an expert.
That the automobile is "A very constant
source of danger to every man, woman
and child who uses the streets will be con-
coded. and that many accidents will occur
regardless of all precautions is also to be
expected, Owing TO my having been hurt
and badly cut i have made the construc-
ton OF the automobile a study. and think
! can safely say that a more murderous
contrvance than the front end of the
automobile does not exist
Unprotected. the front ends of the
springs project from two to six inches In
front of all, In the centre front the handle
of the cranker projects few Inches. the
sharp ends of the mud guards also add
their points to aid In inJuring the victim.
In all making striking front that cannot
fail either to kill or inJure any one hit.
About 10 per cent of tho machines by
actual count have a bumper put on solely
for the purpose OF protecting the lamps
and radiators from small Injuries, as the
insurance companies do not pay for any
damage under s25. This Ii the actual
condition OF the machine itself. as can
well be understood by any one who will
look them over.
Now for the attitude OF the owners. |
have talked with many and find that in
the majority of cases they are insured
against all liability except murder and
therefore feel inclined to put all questions
insurance company. One gentleman told
me he did not see why he should 20 to
any expense to protect his machine when
the insurance company fought all suits for
him and paid the bill. This. l believe. Is
the attitude OF the majority OF owners.
AS one OF the slight victims, do not
see why the public cannot be protected
in at least simple ways. For instance, a
feather bed on the front, II ingenuity can
not devise something less unsightly, would
| be better than the present unprotected
condition. Again the question of payment
| for injuries. 1t Is well known that about
two thirds of the machines are owned and
operated by persons who cannot pay for
any damage they do. Why not compel
all machines to be a part Of company
which can be sued and compelled TO pay
| for damages II guilty Of negligence?
| If injured by railway or trolley one
knows where to get some show for re-
dress, but not so with the more dangerous
automobile. The number is largely Joke
and in not more than half of the acct.
| dent cases is II possible to get the mum
Der correctly. Speed laws are also use
less. as the only possible way surely Il
keep the drivers down to the limit Is t.
have the machines built with the speed
limit in the engine. Otherwise at time
they will be driven faster than In lawful.
As to the actual number OF accidents.
Is not known. but II Is safe TO estimate
that they exceed the known and reporte,
ones by at least one-half, Up to thi
time not one single real relief measur
has been passed, and the situation 4
worse than on the day of the first auto
mobile by lust the number more Of then
In use. D. l. ].
NEWARK. N. j., Juno I.