Evening star., 1927-04-03

might be overcome III fhc
interest OF a nationally low
er blood pressure, greater mental
composure and several other dcSir-
able qualities, If one hccds the con
structive side Of the criticisms of
those who maintain that motor
lists have d tendency toward easy
grouches.
The philosophic defect in question,
according to this school OF thought,
is the inability of the average motor
ist to regard life benienly when
it becomes apparent that another
driver is not quite up on some hne
points OF car operation or highway
etiquette.
The arguments that take place at
busy intersections when one driver
presumes to encroach upon the path
way or prerogative Of another are
held 10 he excellent illustrations of
this lack Of composurc OF which
motorists are accused, The driver
who has been held up while two
other street users wasted time and
adjectives telling Just exactly what
they thought OF each other will need
very little convincing on the point
that poisc and a sense OF humor
might be helpful TO all motorists.
Any motorist who is willing to
take an inventory Of his own expert
ence probably can recall instances
in which, in one peculiar sense. he
took himself and his driving too seri-
ously.
An ANALYSIS Of this tendency prob
ably would take one back 10 each
drivers estimate OF himself as the
most adroit motor vehicle operator
OF them all 1t is this lf-appraisal,
it is argued. that leads many motor
lists into such pitfalls as grouches.
disputes with the boss and COM
pletely ruined" days. The COM
posurc that is ruff1cd in traffic fire.
quently has a hard time unruffing
itself again. and often before it sue
cecds, the individual has become en-
broled with some one else who had
nothing to do with the original sit
uation.
1t unquestionably is true that pride
leads many drivers into situations
that essentially are humorous instead
OF serious. That same pride pre-
vents an excessively large number
of motor car operators from seeing
the hunor OF the situation, however.
One of the most common illustra-
tions OF this fact is the impulse to
refuse to let another car pass. even
in the face of the fact that it may
be from 20 TO so miles an hour faster.
In spite of this tremendous margin
of speed. it frequently happens that
the driver ahead thinks he can make
up for his cars lack of pace by more
skillful driving.
Here, obviously, are the elements
OF ludicrous, if not at once a dan
gerous situation. Does either driver,
even the one in the fast car, see it?
Many times neither of them do.
Part OF the pride of every motor
ist is based on his pride in his car.
He bought the car, and. having
bought it, feels that he is compelled
to prove his judgment right and
sound by showing all other drivers
that while it may be lacking in some
features, it has speed and power.
y
There are any number Of makes
of cars about which this is true.
Take two typical examples. One is
a car that is emphasized as being
particularly fast, another is a smaller
product. that boasts of great power
in relation to its weight. The own
ers of these cars, other motorists
say, quickly develop speed and
power completes that insist upon
asserting themselves at every op-
portunity.
The efforts that these drivers
make to prove their purchasing
judgment sound and the efforts that
other drivers make to prove it un-
sound have served to develop what
amounts almost to national motor
ing pastime.
In those relatively rare instances
when the driver of the speedy car
seemingly is satisfied to rest on his
laurels. another driver. who does not
believe the first has laurels to rest
on, comes along and horns a chal-
lenge. Then the race begins. Both
drivers have too much pride Neither
has quite the sense OF humor TO
laugh off the situation or then see
its potential dangers
The same is true of the owners OF
the car with the burst of power.
Just to show the capacities OF their
automobiles. they frequently rush
helter-skeltcr mp hills. passing every
thing n sight. Uphill races are not
exactly the part OF wisdom Too
often there is something coming
down. Frequently there are acci-
dents As a result. They might have
been avoided II each driver had pro-
ceeded calmly on his way instead OF
feeling that serious need existed to
prove his cars ability to run away
from anything else on wheels.
Many OF tho situations that seem
TO call for a rebuke to another driver
can be met most effectively by a
laugh. / he laugh in question should
be based upon sense OF the humor
OF the situation. it should avoid the
nature OF ,necr to prove its gem
uine merit
Laughing at a driver who takes
himself too seriously IS decidedly
disciplinary in It's effect. according to
those who have tried it, II works to
good purpose on the driver who
toots or looks challenge as he
ICONS bv on the open highway: II
tcmpcr> the spirit Of hravado OF the
hill climber; It is tho most adequate
rehuke possible TO the driver who
thinks himself ce>,ivtlv clever be
cause he has stolen the right Of way
from another. and il is declared To he
ChaStenlng 10 that particular nul-
S2nCe who thinks himself the sole