Middletown transcript., 1920-08-28
PROPER DRIVING /
Il DURING SUMMER
Many People Killed and Injured
Each Year Because Drivers
Forget Rules.
CROSSINGS ARE DANGEROUS
Look Out for Everyone Else and You
Will Be Looking Out for Yourself
Learn to Control Car That
10 Skiddina.

Regardless of instructions and sug
gestions regarding safe driving every
years sees its toll in dead and injured
because drivers forget rules OF
through ignorance or just plain inabil-
ity. The rules of the road are simple
enough to follow, but some drivers in
sist upon making their own rules and
avoiding those made for the safety OF
all the users of the road. One of the
common causes of accidents is due to
neglect to follow the rule relating to
crossings. All crossings ought to be
considered potential danger points. II
you cannot see or if you do not get q
horn signal from a car likely to cross
your path don't take it for granted
no car is there. Look out for every
one else and you will be looking out
for yourself.
Skidding Is Dangerous.
On wet road skidding is the most
dangerous thing likely to happen, but
skidding becomes dangerous only If
the car is travelling at speed. A slow
car can easily be stopped; or even if
it does not stop when the brakes are
applied, at least the impact does lit
tie if any harm. Without tire chains,
brakes equally adjusted or other as
sur&nce that the car will stay straight
on a wet road, don't take the chance.
Regardless of safety devices drive
slowly, apply the brakes intermittent
~, not harshly. If you know the car
is chronic "skidder' reduce the mag
nitude as much as possible by shifting
into second. II there isn't time to
shift into second or If you lose your
head you are at fault. Learn to con-
troll ctr that As skidding. The rule
is, steer with the skid, so as to at
tempt to straighten out the car. The
average driver forgets about every
thing and presses as hard as he can
on the clutch and brake pedals. Use
the brakes alone and look t:head with
q view to keeping the car from strik-
ing an object.
Impaired Vision.
The writer has seen any number
Of cars on the road in rainy weather
and no protection whatever afforded
the driver against accidents due to
impaired vision. Rain on the wind
shield is no excuse. The shield should
be kept clear. The fact that the side
curtains are up and you cannot see
well to the rear or to either side
doesn't bring a life back. Slow down
in the rain and If you cannot see on
oil sides wait until the rain is over
or drive with extreme caution.
In going down steep grades use the
engine as {: brake by shifting into
second or first speed. Shut off the ig-
milton if you wish to get still better
results; you can switch it on again
when you get near the bottom Of the
grade. This saves the brakes and
makes it easy to control the car on
the hill. Drive slowly up grades.
Don't try to make every hill in high
as fast as the car can travel. Remem-
ber there are other users of the road.
AT night think Of the brightness Of
the head lamps. Do not confuse an
oncoming driver with bright lights.
Pass him with dinners on. Keep as
far to the right as you can and drive
slowly so as to avoid frightening the
other driver. Your statement that he
shouldn't. get frightened because you
weren't too close to him doesn't re-
pair bones or save lives.