Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-14
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.


How much more speed is going to
be designed into cars? VIII speed
be useful when highways are even
more crowded than they are today?
Are our ideas Of speed undergoing
change? And what will be the effect
OF this on future design?
Speed is receiving the attention of
every safety organization, for it is
both manning and saving lives. 1t Is
being taken up by automotive engi-
neers because 1t is both a destroyer
of mechanism and a help. Business
interests have 1t under observation
because it is saving them money and
costing them money at the same
time Naturally the car owner who
likes to step on the gas now and
again has good reason to follow the
various viewpoints which speed is be-
ginning to develop.
Looks for 3O-MiIe Limit.
One automotive expert on traffic
matters says that the time is not far
distant when city motor traffic will
operate normally at a speed Of 80
miles an hour instead of 20, yet with
no sacrifice of safety. He takes the
position that traffic moves as fast as
1t Is obliged to. When there are more
cars to pass a given point per hour,
he says, they will be obliged to run
at a higher speed.
Another traffic authority looks for
ward to hfgh-speed motor traffic on
the theory that motor vehicles run
Is fast as they can stop. Doubling
stopping efficiency makes higher speed
IS safe as ordinary speeds are at
present. in his opinion.
An investigation revealed the fact
that while most automobile drivers
claim to be in favor of moderate
speeds on the streets and highways
they are all travelling at faster
pace and showing a preference for
cars OF greater power and speed.
large proportion of buyers have been
willing to sacrifice gasoline economy
in favor OF enjoying a reserve OF
speed.
A number of Ford owners are said
to have found the Fords ability to
run at a reasonably good speed one
of its chief assets. All indications
seem to point to the conclusion that
speed Is preferred even where more
transportation is desired.
Speed Makes for Ease.
A point developed in a recent dis
cussion on the technical features of
reliability and riding comfort con-
cerned speed. 1t has been discov-
cred that many cars ride better at
higher speeds, particularly where
equipped with balloon tires and spring
control devices. In common parlance,
the car is said to settle DOWN at
higher speed, a popularity of road
ability which engineers are endeavor-
ing to reduce to a few definite points.
While speeding is still listed as the
chief cause of fatalities where the
motorist is at fault, it is evident to
any one who reviews the facts that
the real trouble is improper use Of
speed, or road hogging.
Just because a driver was going so
miles an hour when he miscalculated
his chances and drove another car
on the road does not mean that it Is
essentially foolhardy to travel at such
a speed. If the automobile was not
capable of going faster than 20 miles
an hour the mortality rate would still
be high as a result Of these same
road hogs trying to go 20 miles an
hour at the wrong time.
One thing has to be considered in
any discussion of speed, and that Is
the danger of speed A great many
people forget that though it may be
feasible to drive 40 miles an hour II
everybody does the same. If there is
perfect order on the road, IL brakes
are adequate and If conditions are
favorable, the driver hasn't got as
II he strikes a tree as he would have
If going only 20 miles an hour.
Danger II Minimized.
Persons who dissect the subject Of
speed and examine all angles Of 1t
impartially say that this inherent
danger of higher speed is rapidly be-
ing minimized by reason of number
of safety factors. Brakes not only
work better. but drivers think
quicker. Some of them even antici-
pate possible trouble. Cars are less
Inherently dangerous, thus minimize
ing the possibility of accidents due
to defects. Traffic rules are more
effective and people are beginning to
do the right thing by sort of second |
nature.
1t would appear, therefore, that il |
SO miles an hour Is becoming safer |
than it used to be, 20 miles an hour |
has been vastly improved and the Ma
ton had better stick to 20 il 1t wants |
to be safe. Against this, however,
one is required to weigh the view
point that low speed to a nation that
Is already acquainted with high speed |
Is subject to it's own particular brand |
OF danger. A number OF accidents
are the result of day dreaming" a
cause which is seldom. If ever, the re-
suit OF high-speed accident.
AS one motorist puts 1t. II we had
never tasted of high speed we might
be justified in sticking to 20. He be-
lieves that all drivers, traffic authori-
ties and officials should cooperate on
high speed. In his opinion the trend
OF the times is toward getting every
where with less delay, but that the
desire to speed must be general.
Better Building Helps.
In speaking of the dangers that in
crease with increased speed it Is i'm
consider tho effact NJ