The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-29
LIFT-SEEKING
DISCOURAGED
Dangers of Ride-securing by
School Children Are Pointed
Out by Auto Body

Washington, d. c., Oct. 2S.-l
"Gimmc a lift, mister"
This plea, says a statement issued
by National Headquarters Of the
American Automobile association to-
day, again is echoing and reechoing
down the streets and highways of
the nation as millions of children
troop daily to and from their schools.
1.-THE appeal of q child, this one like
all the others, is hard to resist
but the interests of safety demand
that the motorist be firm in his
refusal to accede to it," says the
statement.
To Continue Campaign
Directed specifically toward the
939 clubs that comprise the men,
bership of the A. A. A. and general
ly toward motorists, parents and
teachers as whole, the statement
asks that the cooperation of all
agencies and individuals concerned
with street and highway safety be
enlisted in a continuation of the
campaign launched last year by the
A. A. A. to stamp out the practice
of children Of asking for lifts, one
Of the greatest menaces to child
safety that exists today"
This cooperation was sought and
given in all parts Of the country
last year, the A. A. A. heads de-
clare. When attention was called to
the grave hazards involved in this
thoughtless practice of school chill
dren, motorists, parents and teachers
generally rallied behind their motor
clubs and the result Of this unity
was q marked success Of the CAM
paign, the statement says. The sum-
mer, however, saw a let-down in this
sphere of activity, and the reopen
ing of schools has created need for
renewed effort, it is pointed out.
"A. A. A. clubs, concerned with
serving the interests Of both the mo-
torist and the general public, should
take the lead in the movement to
break up this practice" says the
statement. sT1he club will find that
once it points out the enormous
dangers incident to this child action
and the ways in which motorists,
parents and teachers can be helpful
in bringing it to an end. these groups
will be quick to meet their respective
responsibilities.
"The part of the motorist is to
drive carefully when passing
through school zones and to refuse
rides to those children who ask. This
il difficult to do, but the consistent
refusal on the part of all motorists
soon will discourage the lift-seeker
and this is the greatest kindness the
motor car owner could do any child.
Drivers should remember that they
are responsible in case Of accidents
involving their youthful passengers.
"They do not need to be reminded
of the dangers Of perpetuating this
practice by catering to it. Once
riyen Z lift, the child repeats his
request daily. At first, he may
have had the caution to stand on
the curb and wave his appeal to the
passing nhotorist. Gradually, how
ever, he becomes more and more
daring. He will crowd out into the
stream Of vehicles, Transforming
traffic into q veritable maelstrom.
Thus, he becomes 4 menace to others
Us we'll as to himself.
Should Discourage Habit
parents and teachers should do
al in their power to discourage this
habit which is 50 easily developed.
Their duties are to point out the
hazards Involved and place
lift-seeking ii the category Of those
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