The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-23
SAFETY FIRST, LAST, AND
ALL OF THE TIME, THE
ONLY POLICY FOR DRIVER
or AN AUTOMOBILE
II Pays for Driver to Guard Lives Of
Pedestrians, Cyclists, Occupants
of His Car and Himself. A
Few Hints of Care of
Car Given

Car Given
No matter how careful a driver
may be, he cannot surely safeguard
himself and his car from the careless
ness of other drivers, nor from de-
fects in materials. There is no ex-
cuse whatever for fast or careless
driving at any time, nor the failure to
observe the rules of the road to sig
nal at turns or in crossing or turn
ing. In driving, one must always be
on the watch for drivers who fail to
observe these very elemental rules.
To assist in this self-protection, bump
ers, both front and rear, should be
provided, with loud sharp horn and
a mirror convenient to the driver.
For night driving electric lights with
good front refiectors should be used,
and for country use swivel search
light is almost necessity. In long
drives, or in late night driving the
driver should be careful not to allow
the hum of his car to lull him even to
an instant's repose, as this is undoubt-
of accidents at this time.
A careful driver will instinctively
guide his car out of rough places and
around ruts; he will save his tires
by avoiding glas sand rough stones
wherever possible. The damage of
occasional driving in car tracks is
much magnifled, for it is much better
for a car and tires to run smoothly
on street car rails, than to thump and
bump along cobblestones. Much tire
trouble is avoided by keeping them
tightly inflated, by having them large
or oversize, and by keeping them re-
paired and the castings free from
cracks or holes which allow the wat
er to get between the layers of rub
Der or fabric.
Nearly everyone who drives a car
soon learns to know by the sense of
sound when some parts are out of
order, and this warning should be
, carefully needed. Engine knocks and
, pounds, loose bearings, nuts and parts,
, spring and body squeaks, can all be To-
Gated and remedied with little pa
thence and further trouble avoided
Every car is, or should be, provided
with sufficient and suitable tools to
: make adjustments and some repairs
, Machine work or complete overhaul
ing should not be attempted unless
the person is familiar with it, but ev-
cry car should be overhauled periodic
ally by competent mechanic and all
the parts put in order. This is very
important and is absolutely necessary.
but the frequency depends entirely
upon the continual care which a car
receives.
One OF the most important and per-
haps the least considered features of
car is its lubricating system, and too
much stress cannot be placed upon
its Importance. The engine bear
ings, transmission, wheels, and in
fact all the moving parts are absolute
,ly dependent upon proper fabrication.
This means that oil cups shall have
constant attention. and the engine and
transmission must have frequent and
thorough cleansing and replacement
of the lubricant.
car must be protected not only
by being properly housed either in a
private garage, or in a trustworthy
public one. A driver should know
who operates his car. besides himself,
SO he may know what condition it is
in. The quality of oil and gasoline
should be watched and the latter
should always be filtered to protect
the engine and fuel supply lines.
Brakes must be kept in proper con-
dition, for they are in continual use.
To prevent thert, locks must be
used, and extra tires locked to the
car For fire protection small fire
, extinguisher is a valuable accessory.
Chains are an absolute necessity
where driving in the mud or on slip.
perry pavements, and if they are not
used driver is negligent.
The most important safety first"
injunctions are, therefore, to see first
/, ,lof all that your car is in perfect me.
chanical condition so that you will
l know what it will do under all condi.
lions, to use every care and precau.
ton in driving and to take no chance
whatever on what some one else may
do.-Jackson (Mich.) Patriot.