The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-12-18

Are Antaoonistic Toward TraffI
situatjen-captain Experiments i
ceurtssy When Driving His Ca
and Whom Walking and 10 Sur
prissd At Results-crsed 81 Club.
A Motorists' National CiviHty clu,
which aims to make travel on thu
streets safer and more pleasant fol
both pedestrians and motorists hal
been organized In Washington.
More automobiles are on the streets
every year and more people are being
run down by vehicles.
A. F. Zerbee, former captain in the
regular army, believes that the key tc
the puzzle 10 In the attitude Of the
people on the streets. 1t is apparent
that too many people are antagonistic
toward the traffic situation.
The Roman emperor crushing be-
meath his chariot wheels anybody who
failed to scramble out Of the way
seems barbarous to us. Yet the mod
ern driver who expects the right of
| way over pedestrians and defantly
| takes 1t in spite of everything is a
common sight 1t is true that the
spirit behind the two riders is not ex-
actly the same The chariot would
| not swerve from It's path of destruc-
| ton. The automobile driver depends
on his quick eye and the delicate mech
dent II the troublesome pedestrian
fails to jump.
Unfortunately sometimes the driver
miscalculates and an accident occurs.
But the driver is convinced that the
person on foot precipitated the affair.
On the other hand, pedestrians are
inclined to think that traffic regula-
lions are for vehicles only. Children
on roller skates and boys on bicycles
add to the nerte-racking confusion
and danger Of the streets.
Experiments In courtssy.
The mental attitude Of all the fac
lions Of street travellers accounts for
a lot Of trouble, Mr.. Zerbee thinks.
He became convinced some time ago
that 80 per cent Of the automobile &C
cidents could be eliminated if a more
conslderate spirit prevailed.
He tried experiments in courtesy
when driving his car and when walk
ing, and he was surprised at the re-
suits. Courtesy pays, was Mr.. Ter
bees conclusion. and the more peO-
pie that practice it the better. SO he
started the motorists civilfty club.
His club is not an organization that
meets and reads scientific papers. It
is more state Of mind Mr. Zerbee
designed a sticker badge for the wind
shield of members who pledge them
selves to let caution and courtesy
rule their machines. He also devised
creed which would be on the re-
verse side Of the sticker to remind
the driver Of his pledge.
The creed is in general terms and
1t is intended to cover every situation !
where the driver must choose between |
selfishness and consideration, The |
terms are AZ follows:
/. Caution will obey all trafYic regu-
latfons.
2. Courtesy will not assume road |
superiority.
8. Courtesy will not become impa-
t1ent when caution delays.
f. Caution VIII dim its lights TO
courtesy.
5. Courtesy will politely caution pc
destrians
8. Courtesy win respond to eau
tons signal
Z. Courtesy will not cross cautions
path. II
8. Courtesy win never create eau
TONS hazard
8. Courtesy's speed will be governed
by caution
TO- Courtesy and caution will carry
,n-to safety.
AS an Illustration Of number three,
Mr.. Zerbee points out that along park
ways, such as Washington's Speed
way, motorist occasionally becomes
stalled. Instantly from cars behind
:Ome the impatient screeches and bel
Owings Of horns. This tends to make i
he driver nervous to the extent that
re cannot locate the trouble or get
lis car out of the road.
Where Offsnse Frequently 10 Given. Ii
Number two is most frequently vio-
ated by heavy cars which sometimes
axe up more than their share of the u
niddle of the road.
Number eight is one of the more
bstract provisions. 1t is for the 4
river who makes a reckless move,
hereby endangering others who are
roceeding carefully. This sort OF
hing is the basis of many of the just Z
harges of carelessness against driv-
rs
Mr.. Zerbee believes that every per
IN on the streets should be courtesy Z
If you have ever had
istake, in grammar, say, so wildly =
oppressed upon your brain that you y
,uld never use the phrase without 4
sing aware Of it you know what Mr.. =
erbee means by being courtesy con- 4
'i0us. He means, he says. having 4
'nsideration for other people on your \
ind. You may think that you have :
Tough on your mind now. But &C. n
riding to the president of the Motor Il