Evening star., 1927-10-30

accurately gauging the complex SIT
nations of the open road!
Is it what might be termed ar
"auto sense"2 Is there quality oi
mind which distinguishes the gooC
notorist from the bad, the one who
may be depended upon to do the
wrong thing at the very worst time
from the one who reacts to difficult
situations with an alertness and a
precision of action that is amazing
Or is it largely matter of plain
luck?
Observation and experience show
clearly that drivers of motor cars
fall into two general classes-those
who drive we'll and those whose driv-
ing is far from being impeccable.
The one type seems to be eternally
unable to drive smoothly and calmly,
or to act with certainty. The other
type appears to have been born to
the task of capably guiding a car.
The members of these two classes
vary, of course. Their capability or
lack of it has widely varying de-
grees, but the man or woman who
drives unerringly, with evident pre-
cision. and always is the master of
the machine whose movements he or
she is directing, that person ever
stands out in bold relief.
This individual, we say, is a born
driver" just as we credit a person
with natural skill in a great many
other things. But is the praise of
his natural makeup deserved? Is
it an inherent quality which stamps
him with prediction which all do
not enjoy, or is it a popular de-
lusion!
The experienced motorist who has
observed all the varying shades of
motoring ability will be loath to
have his belief in an auto sense"
shattered and characterized as de-
lusion. Observation points too plain
~ to its basis in fact. But he has
no need for forsaking this well
formed opinion. Science as well as
intelligent perception offers him def
mite vindication.
The question was placed before an
able psychologist who has gained
wide experience and a worthwhile
reputation as a psychiatrist, know
ing the human mind, therefore. in
its eccentricities as well as its nor
NAL reactions.
Is there such a thing as "auto
sense? this psychologist was asked.
His answer was emphatically in
the affirmative, provided, of course,
that the word sense" was used
rather loosely to mean a capability
and not one of the basic senses.
He defined this motoring sense, so
called. as "a natural ability or adapt
ability, which is a combination of
many factors, the majority of which
are mental"
Such a capability, he stated, as
sumes, first, that the person has the
necessary physical equipment for
driving car efficiently. Then the
question assumes definite neutral
phase. The quality of nerve re-
actions plays an important part.
Quickness of reaction is a natural
ability. 1t may be the result of
training up to certain point, but
thereafter it becomes definitely a
matter of mental functioning where
in the results will be directly pro-
portionate to the natural ability of
the individual in that respect.
There can be nothing in the very
able motorists mental makeup, this
psychologist pointed out, to interfere
with his functioning efficiently at his
task. For example, a naturally timid
person would be faced with an in
surmountable obstacle in the way of
fearlessly meeting the situations he
would be called upon to face as
motorist of the present day. But it
is probable that a person so affected
would be unlikely to endeavor to
drive under present-day conditions.
The mental characteristics of the
capable motorist, therefore. may be
appraised negatively as we'll as posi-
lively. In addition to the necessity
for him being alert and quick to re-
act to any and all situations, he must
to the same degree be free from any,
thing like hesitancy or trepidation.
Fearlessness comes close to being
the Distinguishing characteristic of
the person who possesses an auto
sense"
Attention upon innate ability in
handling a machine that moves
swiftly has been prompted largely
by aviation. During the World War
definite tests were formulated for
the selection of flyers. These were
based on known psychological data,
which took into account the various
mental and physical characteristics
and qualities of the candidates.
To the motorist may be applied
much that IS predicated of the avia-
tor, with the difference that the
former moves in the one plane of di-
rection-except by accident-while
the latter rises into the upper air
and to that extent requires the addi-
tional qualification of good sense of
balance. To that extent, "air sense"
is different from auto sense" for
the aviator must have a we'll devel-
oped sensitivity to equilibrium which
the motorist does not need. In the
tiny semi-circular canals of the in
ner ear are situated the aviator's
greatest asset-his quick reaction to
changes of equilibrium.
But, leaving out of consideration
for the moment the nice sense of
balance required of the aviator, the
motorist otherwise has virtually
everything in common with him.
Whether in the air or on the ground,
the individual >%ho pilots a swiftly
moving machine must think quickly,
he must think surely, and he can
know no appreciable fear.
We have outstanding examples in
the flyers who have spanned the At
lantic and the Pacific and who have
captured speed and endurance rec