The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-31
riness. in driving is essential


Finesse in driving is essential II
maximum pleasure. safety. comfort,
etc, are to be obtained from q motor
car. Yet It 10 surprising how few
motorists realize the danger they may
he flirting with through carelessness.
Skill IN driving can be easily acquired
by anyone: however. It must be re-
rl-anbercd that not skill alone will
promote safety. Ono has but to OBJ
serve passing automobiles to note the
less driving.
The number OF motorists h rapidly
| increasing and the highways are be-
coming crowded. and in order for one
to enjoy cne's motor car II is essential
that every motorist exercise a certain
amount OF caution. We as motorists
have rights upon the public highways.
but these same right envelop respon-
sihilities to many users Of the high
way
Some motorists abuse their rights
and heedlessly run over the rights OF
others. and therefore some must suffer
for the wrongs OF others. Each acct
dent and wrong-doing on the high
ways will arouse public sentiment
against motorists and cause the en-
forcemeut OF stringent laws
The responsible motorists must take
II upon themselves to control the
irresponsible operators and show them
that they must operato their cars with
out menace 20 life and limb upon tire
public highway Careless drivers never
practice the consideration for others
they should have, and many lives are
in constant danger and many acct.
tents occur with the driver who takes
chance. We arc familiar with the
driver who delights in exhibiting
nerve stunts. such ns remaining In the
center Of the road untu almost upon
the approaching vehicle. or the driver
who will skid the car around a corner
instead of turning II aa II should be
| done Then there II the driver who
will attempt to pass another vehicle
| or a narrow curvs. Another type or
driver is ono who vii attempt to take
corners on slippery roads at high
speeds without chains or skid devices.
| Many such foolish pranks have re-
suited in serious accidents, causing the
loss OF life and limb.
! 1t is wrong to drive q car across an
intersecting road, highway or railroad
unless Your view Is entirely unob-
, structed Ma.Iy regrettable accidents
have been the outcome Of hurried
crossing OF unguarded railroad tracks.
| II the rack Is visible for consider
able length in either direction, there
Is no need of stopping the car. II, on
the oothe rhand, there Is curve OF
siding OF freight cars, the car should
! De< stopped ard the motorirt should
ascertain whether there 10 q train In
sight. It is the only safe way. for In
the event OF an accident. the cause
of II is the cautionless operator.
The motorist ehould he most care
full In passing street cars. Always go
slow. sound your horn and be ready
to stop instantly, As many persons step
| of the car and walk around the end,
coming suddenly in front Of the motor
car. Always pass vehicles, excepting
street cars, headed In the Same direc
ton az the car. on tho left side. DO
not wait until you are directly in the
to turn out, but start the turn Qrite
a distance behind, as this makes steer
ing more easy and certain. Never
! pass street cars to the left, as this
| invariably leads to accidents, and In
practically all cities this Is = violation
OF the traff1c rules.
i Ekdding is a straight ahead or side.
wise slipping of the wheel due to wei
or frozen conditions. Skidding may
70 caused by tgrning tho car quickly
or abruptly setting the brakes. The
remedy. Of course. IL tire chains Of
anti-skid treads on the rear tires
Skidding, most dangerous element
LOT motoring. IL helpless situation. and
II remains for the driver not to be.
come confused. Gkillful handling Of
the steering gear will IN some In
stances prevent accidents by reducing
tho motor speed and turning the from
wheels In tho direction that the cAl
10 skidding, but never apply the brakes
at this moment II the front wf1ecll
sk:I, turn thom In the opposite direc
tic, from which they arc skiddinK
The principal point to ho remember
cd in connection with steering II tina
but sNght movements rather than dis
tinct turns of tho wheel are needct
to handle the car. This IL really tn
secret of good driving On stretch
Of good road practically no steering
wheei manipulation II needed. ~
slight steadyirg OF the wheel keeps tn
car on a stls light line. In turninl
corners, make the turn gradually. ant
not abruptly. for abrupt turns OF tn
wheel render the guidance OF the CA
more difficult. When rounding tn
corner, acquire the habit OF making
close turn-srkecping on tho right aid,
rather thar in the middle - the road
thus practically eliminating the pos
sibility OF collision with vehicles com
ing In the opnosIte direction Thi
same rule applies with equaf fore
when ascending small sayerfed V
shaped hills, &c often met In touring
especially or narrow roads. rs In
possible for The nlotoriss to $50 an
vehicle ascen}he on the opposite SID
OF the Hill until he arrived at tbs toI