South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-29

With reports OF deaths from auto
mobile accidents coming in al an
average Of one every thirty-fve min
utes. and with this death rate in
creaang steadily. twenty-five men
representing the automobile inter
ests. insurance companies. the pub
lie, the industries, automobile clubs
and various governmental agencies,
met al the headquarters OF the Ma
tonal Safety council. recently. 10
perfect plans for a war OF elimina-
ton on avoidable automobile acct
dents
Il was granted by most Of the
speakers a. this meeting that some
automobile accidents are unavoid-
able. but the cOnccnsus OF opinion
was that they are very few. Blame
FOR tho greater number OF autOmo-
bile accidents which kill more than
10000 persons and MAIN thousands
Of others every year was placed
equally upon tho shoulders OF care
less pedestrians and reckless drivers.
Prepare Bulletins.
4 set Of lessons and bulletins on
the safe operation and maintenance
OF automobiles and motor trucks has
been prepared by the National Safety
council. for distribution among own
crs and drivers OF automobiles and
motor trucks. Copies of these les
sons and bulletins have been sub
Initted for criticism 20 approximately
so men including the entire direc-
torate Of the council. the men in
charge OF the principal automobile
schools. officials OF the larger auto
mobile clubs. municipal traffic Off
GERS. the editors OF the leading -utO-
mobile publications. automobile man
ufaCtuTers. and others who have
made a close study of the problem.
The first FIVE lessons. covering
brake inspection and operation and
care Of steering apparatus, were
criticized and approved ct the last
meeting OF the committee. These
two parts have been responsible for
most OF tho automobile accidents
due 10 mechanical defects.
c. y. Maurer. Of the motor vehicle
division. Wisconsin State Highway
commission. in discussing the care o.
automobile brakes said.
How TO Handle Brakes.
The repair and adjustment Of
brake Innings is a skilled mechanic
work and should be handled accord
ingly. Too many drivers who are
not familiar with the construction
of brakes. attempt TO remedy their
own brake band difficulties with the
result that the work is often poorly
don and the brakes do not prove
worthy in an emergency. Garage
owners should see that only expert
enced wOrkmen are allowed 10 re-
pair brakes, helpers should not be
allowed TO do this work. Brakes
constitute the most important part
OF an automobile so far as safety Is
concerned. They should be tested
every time the car Is driven from
the garage, for there is always pos
slbility that the bands may have
snapped or become disconnected
while the car IS standing. Railroad
engineers are required to make
brake tests on their locomotives and
the ability 20 stop quickly Is no less
important in automobiles than In
railroad trains"
Mr.. Maurer's suggestions we're APP
proved and added to the lessons. and
the discussion on inspection. opera
ton. and care Of automobile brakes
continued.
Drivers should become familiar
with the idnnG speeds OF their cars,
said r. II. Squires. divisional sales
manager of the White Motor Car
company They should be instruct
cd that II is never wise 10 brake be-
yond the idling speed. If the wheels
become locked, COuLIOl OF the I'll %
lost and skidding is apt TO result.
Effective Brake Tests.
The committee agreed 10 prepare
a chart showing how far an autOmO-
bile will travel after the application
~ brakes at various speeds. This
chart. along with another explaining
the most effective brake tests. will
be included I'm the lessons.
A set Of revised traffic signals and
rules for the road were approved by
the committee and will make up an
imnortant section Of the lessons. The
committee VIII make an effort to
have traffic regulations standardized
throughout the &C entry.
Lieut. Martin Of he traffic divi-
sion. Chicago police department. in
discussing present traffic signals,
said. 1T is not necessary TO have
such n complicated system Of hand
signals. Few motorists understand
or observe them \ simpler set
would be much more desirable It
- generally sufficient for the driver
to extend his hand outside the car.
n this signal can be seen. the auto
1robuos following will understand
that the driver is about 20 turn IN
one direction or the other and they
viii slow down accordingly. IL eN-
tending the hand could be under
stood and obcyed as a signal 20 slow
down. 10 would be much less confus-
IL q r-.-# 60 . errs-