The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-09-25
THE EVERLASTING HoRNl

steps to preserve human life in many
directions, it would seem that we
might deliberately take steps in an
other direction to preserve Aman
lives and nerves.
1t is very easy to become STAN
peded over an apparently alarming
condition with which we are not ia,
miliar, hut it takes long, hard gargu.
ment to induce men to change con.
ditions that are familiar, even if they
are dangerous. The conditions under
which automobiles and sutobicycles
are operated in Brunswick, at the
present time, are dangerous to those
who are compelled to use the streets.
One OF the great menaces afforded
by the unscientific management of au-
tomobiles upon the streets, besides
the reckless driving and the high rate
of speed, is the constant use of horns
at times where there is no occasion
for their use. This constant use
serves to dull the ear and to render
the threatened person inattentive and
careless.
The subject of the regulation of
warning signals has been considered
by various legislative bodies in Eng
land, America and the Continent.
The adequate warning signal, so ex-
perience says, must have harsh,
abrupt note that gives the impress
sion of imminent danger. A warming
signal is not play toy. 1t has a
serious mission, and we believe it
unwise to use as warning signal
any device which lacks the harsh
ness, the abrupt note that is imme-
diately recognized as warning of
danger.
Emergencies sometimes arise, espe-
cially in cities, through no fault of the
driver of the motor car, which to
avoid injury, call for immediate ac-
ton, not only by the motorist but by
the person or person in danger. The
unnecessary use is illustrated by the
fable Of the boy who cried wolf!
wolff" when there was no wolf near,
and when he yelled for help, no one
responded, and the VIZ devoured
him.
In several Of the worlds leading
cities 1t is now defined unlawful for
any motorist to make or cause to be
made any loud or unnecessary noise
with bell, horn or any other signal
device with which his car is equip
ped, or to use the same except as a
warning OF danger.
1t Is not so much the character of
the warning signal as its unnecessary
use that is Objectionable. That the
use OF an adequate warning signal
upon motor cars Is a necessity Is al
most universally recognized and in
deed. required by law in every city
OF Importance. That this signal
should be capable OF producing IA
sufficient volume OF sound TO be equal
ly necessary, and that the bulb horn
Is both indispensable and so feeble
In sound that the rattle of surround
ing traffic frequently makes IL impos-
sihle to be heard, Is a matter of com
men knowledge.
The continuous use of any sort of
warning signal Is uncalled for and
highly Objectionable and should be
prohibited by law. IL is. however
Just as reasonable to prohibit the use
of given signal. admittedly made
quate for the purpose for which II Is
used merely because It's improper
and unnecessary use may amount to
nuisance, as II would he to sever
a mans vocal chords in order To pre-
vent him from being guilty of disor-
derby conduct or breach of peace
by shouting or singing in public pla-
ces.
The solution OF both problems Is
not to deprive the use upon a motor
car of an adequate warning signal.
but to regulate the use OF each by
law, or rather TO enforce the existing
law on the subject.