The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1920-08-27

This is a serious state of case and
thoughtful people are coming to the
conclusion that drastic measures must
in some way, be taken to lessen the
dangers of travel byautoupon ouI
highways,
Tragedies of the highways most of.
ten occur, 1t seems, in the late even
ing or at night, due probably to the
restricted range of vision of automo.
bile drivers and pedestrians of the
roads, accidents most frequently hap
pening in meeting and passing cars.
Nine of every ten accidents occur
ring are to motorists themselves, and
few common sense precautions
should be taken by motorists, drivers
of horse-drawn vehicles and other
pedestrians while on the road, for
there is no denying that there is great
room for improvement. The motor
ist himself should refrain from all
reckless driving, and obey strictly the
laws and rules of the road. When a
signal from the rear is given indica-
ing that someone wishes to>pass, the
person signaled should move prompt
ly to make it possible and convenient,
his own rate of speed is his own af-
fair but he should not willfully pre-
vent others having the same privilege.
1t might be we'll to have an agreed
signal among motorists, for instance,
four honks of the horn, meaning
don't try to pass, the road is OBJ
structed on the right, this would be
a warning to the autoist in the rear
and a signal to slow down, and pre-
vent crowding which results in so
many accidents, this is particularly
applicable at night, especially when
going over strange roads. Motorists
should be particularly cautious when
approaching sharp curves, or when
driving upon roads where their vi
sion is INSTRUCTED, and the car kept
under absolute control. so that it
may be brought to standstill at the
will of the operator. Drivers should
always attend strictly to their bust
ness, never attempting TO arrange
curtains, eat sandwiches. or engage
too earnestly in conversation with
other occupants of the car.
Plenty of room should be given in
passing vehicles. When the driver of
a car sees a pedestrian on the right
and a motor vehicle on the left he
should either slow down or stop,
taking every precaution to prevent
accident. A good signal among auto
lists would be, two sharp honks, mean
ing danger, give more room. This
would prevent the running down of
many individuals, as a large number
of pedestrians keep to the shoulder
of the road and do not give the auto
next to him sufficient room to pass
me o.Ier vehic,e
The driver OF horses, on the high
ways should be constantly on the
alert. II membering always how much
faster power driven vehicles travel
than DO horse-drawn vehicles. When
a notor vehicle approaches the driv-
or Of horse, from either direction.
pains should be taken by the driver
of the horse, to see that half of the
road is allowed the other vehicle.
In fact those driving horses should
be as particular to observe the road
laws and rules as they expect the 9TH
er fellow to be. Hold out your hand
to signify your intention to stop, or
to turn, and thereby prevent the auto
from crashing into you, many &C
cidents may be thus prevented. The
man in your rear, driving the auto,
has no other means Of knowing what
you wish to, or are going to do, ex-
cept as you may inform him by signal.
At night, horse drawn vehicles
should be equipped with a good light,
the law is based upon real needs and
safety-first demands that all vehicles
carry good clear lights from a half
hour after sunset until half hour
before sunrise, when travelling upon
the highways. Children ought never
to be permitted to drive either horses
or automobiles upon the public roads,
unless thoroughly competent, and
then, not alone, and specific instruc-
lions as to the road laws should be
given then, teaching-them their du-
ties in passing others whether over
taking or meeting vehicles.
Every person using the highways
should be cautious at all times, ever
having it in mind that not only their
safety but the safety of others de-