The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-25
18 YEARS DRIVING WITH NO ACCIDENT.
Taxi Man Says Safety De- bends On WatchfuIness
 And Courtesy

NEW YORK, Nov. 24-Evidence that safe automobile driving Is pos sible despite the fact that many per sons consider 1t exceptional in view of the 14,000 fatalities in motor acci- dents last year Is revealed by H. Cliff ford Brokaw, technical director of the West Side '. M. c. A. Automobile school.
 "He is taxicab driver" says MT. Brokaw, lone of that class generally called speed fiends and hazardous to street users. He has driven IS years without an accident. Some one ought to present him with a medal. The Ancient Order of Pedestrians might well do so in recognition of his con- sideration of the walkers desire to live. This mans recipe for success full driving is, keep your mind on your driving, think always of the other fellow and his rights and watch the condition of the streets. That Is great stuff. The taxi driver has an important message for every automobile owner in America"
 The name of this safe and sane driver is William P. Flaherty. He doubtless holds the record for careful taxicab driving He was a hack vasion and is now employed by a taxicab company on the upper west side.
 Courtesy Important Attribute.
 :. An important attribute to safe driving is courtesy yet the patient, gentlemanly driver is becoming so scarce that when found he Is usually the subject of as enthusiastic com ment as would be forthcoming in the discovery of valuable article. MT. Brokaw says something when he adds:
 "The courteous driver is one who has read the Bible, at least down as far as the place where the Golden Rule is mentioned"
 Mind your own business Is a good rule of the road to follow" says MT. Brokaw, In citing a few suggestions for safe motor driving. 'FThe driver of an automobile should always be confident that he has perfect control of his machine. Any one under the influence of liquor should know that he cannot be sure in automobile control.
 Because of the dearth of mind readers it Is suggested that motorists use the required signals when they expect to slow down or turn, or pass. I recently saw an automobile acci- dent where the driver of car ahead slowed down quickly without putting out his hand. The car following close behind him could not avoid crash The result was that both ears were badly damaged The operator of the first car stated that he had driven a car for eight years with out holding out his hand and had ever, did not prevent his having a serious accident at the end of that period
 Where Slow Speed Required.
 There are certain places where it Is better judgment to slow down an automobile. This is especially true at street intersections, where pedes- trians or street cars or other vehicles are liable to be crossing ones path at any moment, and where children may be playing in the street.
 When pulling out to pass another vehicle one ought to have plenty of room to pass and at the same time a sufficient view ahead to insure getting by before car coming the opposite direction makes the chances good for a head-on collision.
 Study the conditions of the streets. There is apt to be ice or snow or rain or broken pavement or bad. holes in the road. which under certain circumstances make for dsn- ger in driving. Dazzling lights also often make controlling a car a diff ficult matter.
 Tt Is better to be alive when 1t comes to %he matter of insisting on your right of way. If the other fel- low insists on being pig-headed in his haste to get along, a few seconds delay to let him pass will not be serious matter.
 Traffic signals which have been worked out are in use for tho benefit of most motorists and pedestrians. Play safe by obeying them. It is said that 3 per cent of all motorists disregard the signals at railroad crossings and undertake to beat the trains
 cnt The oxygen. passing into the