The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-08-13

how careful one may be, circumstances
frequently vitiate the greatest care and
turn to grief an otherwise pleasantly
contemplated outing. The smooth high.
ways of Maryland invite increased traffic
not only from the State itself, but from
other sections of the country, and every
weeks sees more and more automobiles
passing along from one place to another.
Especially at night is the danger becom-
ing more and more noticeable, and Bal
tlmore city has set an example of regu.
latlon by having an ordinance passed pro-
hlbiting huge fare lights on front of au-
tomobiles in the city limits. 1t is DOS
slble the State of Maryland will follow
this up by some precautionary measure.
as everyone who drives or rides at NIGHT
can testify to the perils that are ever
present from the binding glare of acety.
lene lights on approaching automobiles
They are sometimes so brilliant as to al.
most blind the driver of the passing car,
and many cases have been noted where
machines have rolled over entertainments
and gone into bitches and sustained
other damages not only to the automo-
bile, but to the occupants. In all large
cities now traffic regulations are provided
and duly carried out, and special limita-
tons are set to prevent reckless driving.
The crowding of our thoroufares has be-
come so obnoxious to some careful driv-
ers, that they instinctively seek side
roads that are good for their automobile
trips and avoid as much as possible the
big thoroughfares. 1t is almost impos
slble to tell what the other driver will
do, and many serious mix ups have oc-
Cured from such misunderstanding
New and inexperienced drivers are con-
stantly being added to the throng that
passes along the roads, and no one can tell
by looking at a car whether the person
at the steering wheel has Just been given
instructions in driving, or is an old
timer, until something happens that will
prove the case. This factor should be
given very special attention by those in
chage of automobile traffic in Maryland,
and a person should be required to pass
reasonable test before competent au-
thority before being allowed to run car
upon the roads or streets. They have
some form already in the State called
Driver S License, but there seems to be
no questions asked or experience neces-
sary to get one. The process of evolu
ton in this regard has been most won
derful in the last five years, and it is
necessary to take into very serious con.
sideration this new form of rapid transit,
both for pleasure and for business. The
great highway system in Maryland and
other states would not be in existence in
the present way were it not for the ex-
istence of the automobile. Many years
ago the good roads movement was start
ed by the owners of bicy cles, but the
initiative soon Jagged, and little except
in an educative way was accomplished.
In the advent of the automobile how
ever new factor was introduced not to
be so easily set aside and State Legisla
lures are going into statistics and figures.
About five years ago this State be-
gan an improvement to our road system
that has involved the expenditure of
many millions of dollars. The State
also collects from automobile owners |
large sum Of money every year, which is
supplied for the up-keep of the roads
and helps to pay off the bonds which |
were issued to provide the money neces-
sary for building them. Now that the
main work on the roads has been CON-
pleted, the sinking fund will grow rap
idly, and enough money will be provided
to keep the roads in shape There is no
more pleasant form of travelling than by
means of automobiles and with the ex-
perience we have had since they become
a very large item in our daily life, it
ought not to be too difficult to reach
some ground Of proper regulation that
will be fair to the automobiist and yet