The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-07-10
WOMEN ARE NOW
EXPERT DRIVERS
OF AUTOMOBILES
Not Necessary to Be of Me-
chanical Frame of Mind
to Be Driver

The time is past when pedestrians
and motorists cape after a woman
driver as though she were fit speci-
men for curio exhibit. Nowadays
we all expect as much skill from a
woman driver as from man, and in
many cases a great deal more.
, Women, who used to be regarded
as having no mind for mechanics or
any of the masculine arts and practic-
cs, have shown themselves perfectly
able to master the motor carat
least the driving end of it.
To be really skilful motor opera
tor, a woman needs more than a rudi-
mentary knowledge of the principles
involved. Facts have shown that
there are many women in whom the
mechanical strain lies dormant, which,
when trained, makes them very ex-
cellent operators. Facts also have
shown that there are many-usually
those interested in the last best sell
Ter, or a game of bridge-who, as
they have not this dormant mechani-
cal bent, can never learn to master
the ms and outs OF the motor. The
same is true of men, is it not? There
are many men to whom the workings
of motor is positive Greek, and al
ways will be.
The mere driving of a car is a
simple performance. The manufact-
urers have been trying for years to
build a fool proof drye control and to
a great measure they have succeed
ed. But the practical knowledge
which enables the woman motorist to
meet every emergency with calmness
and promptneSs, and which renders
her an expert really capable of the
management of the car is the result
of experience and assiduous observa-
ton. The secret of success in motor
driving, as in everything else, is to
begin at the foundation and study the
mechanism, the adjustments, the
principles, and learn the why's and
whcrefores.
The first time a woman operates
her car alone, no matter whether she
has been taught by an experienced
driver or not, she will have very little
confidence in her own ability. This
lack of confidence causes instruction
to fly to the winds when she is forced
to make sudden stop, turn or gear
shift. Confidence is an absolute es-
sential to the driver. 1t can only
be obtained through experience, it is
best to stay away from congested
thoroughfares. The ability to judge
speed, distance, and proper control
also viii some later.
FIRST LEARN TO STEER
The steering wheel of motor will
be found very sensitive to woman
beginner; the slightest turn of the
wheel brings an instant response
which is rather confusing to the in
experienced operator A clear road
where there is plenty of room should
So found for experimenting, and
learning to steer properly should be
the first thing to accomplish. The
changing of speeds should be the
next thing learned, to do which, re-
peatedly turn, back, and turn around
until the shift is made instinctively.
The woman motorist should avoid
short turns until she has had suffi-
Gent practice to insure accuracy of
control and judgment.
Before starting out with her car
the woman driver should see that the !
tires are properly inflated, that the
tank is filled with gasoline (strained
to keep out the dirty and that all the |
parts are oiled. Guard against rae
ing the motor, as this causes undue /
wear. There is a pleasant and econo
mic speed for every motor, Just as
Iherc Is for living person a speed t
at which one can walk or run without
taxing the muscles or destroying the
tissues of the system