The Washington times., 1921-08-21
GIRLS BECOME
PAN|CSTR|CKEN
ON AUTO TESTS
New License Regulations Hard
err. Accidents Fewer, Says
Traffic Bureau Head.

Women applicants for operators
licenses TO drive automobiles are bet.
ter posted on the rules governing
traffic regulations in the District than
men.
Most of the women applicants be-
come more panicky when they are
subjected TO the test of driving an au.
tomobile before the license Is issued
to them.
Every applicant for an operators
license In the District Ia subjected not
only to an examination as to knowl-
edge Of traffic regulations. but on
ability to operate an automobile.
Sidesteps Trick Questions.
Here's a question put to a woman
applicant yesterday:
How would you handle your auto.
mobile IL you were driving thirty miles
an hour down hill and the steering
gear broker"
without a moments hesitation, the
woman rejoined with: .
why, I wouldn't think OF driving
my car thirty miles an hour down
hill"
Another question asked the woman
was:
What do you know about the rule
governing the right of way of an auto.
mobile driver?"
"Weli, the driver to my right has
the right of way. but any one who
wants the right Of way can have 1t as
far as I am concerned"
Many amusing answers also are
made TO questions asked by the ex-
aminers.
What should you do in case your
machine figures In an accident" was
asked a man who applied for a license
to drive a car few days ago.
81 would Immediately notify my
insurance company" was the answer.
The correct answer should have
been that the applicant would notify
the nearest police station, giving all
details Of the accident II no policeman
could be found.
HeadIey Is I'm Charge.
Capt. Albert J. Headley is in charge
OF the traffic bureau which issues
permits to applicants TO drive auto
mobiles. The bureau is on the fifth
floor OF the District Building.
Pstrolman Milton Smith. Daniel
Foley and William J. Cunningham are
assistants to Captain Headiey and
they not only give the mental tests.
but occupy the applicants car when
he is demonstrating he can drive an
automobile.
at takes about five minutes to
learn whether an applicant can drive
car to the safety of the public"
said Captain Headley. THE officer
who accompanies the applicant is an
expert and he quickly learns how
well the applicant can operate an
automobile"
Every person who drives an auto
mobile In the District must have an
operators permit. The only excep.
tons are those persons who are
tags, from States that do not demand
operators licenses. There are four
teen such States.
Women Get Nervous.
IL has been found that most APP
pllcants, particularly the women. be.
come extremely nervous when they
are subjected to the automobile driv-
ing test.
Then the police demand that the ap.
plicant bring along demonstrators
when an automobile test is being
given. The demonstration Is held re,
sponsible should the applicant meet
with an accident during the test.
Up to several months ago IL was a
simple matter to get an operator 6
license. All the. applicant had to do
was to make application for the
license, stating he or she was familiar
with automobiles and the OPERATOR
card would be issued.
The great increase in accidents in
the city caused the District Commits.
sioners to make the new rules.
Captain Headley declares the strict
regula tons have resulted in a lessen.
ing of traffic accidents. The traffic
bureau has authority to revoke the
liceDsea Of driyers ubo are NOT