Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-17
IRVING along the highways
of the Nation is not what it
used to be. This is not due
to the increasing volume of

~ IRVING along the highways
of the Nation is not what it
used to be. This is not due
- to the increasing volume of
traffic, at least not the direct
cause.
Indirectly, of course, the greater
number of vehicles on the road
way makes driving less pleasant,
because of the congestion which
often ensueS. But, in the opinions
of many, it is increase of care
less and frequently reckless driv-
ers that takes the pleasure out OF
motoring. Their percentage of in
crease seems to be considerably
higher than the ever-growing
number of automobiles. These
drivers are to be found in all
makes of cars and in all price
fields.
In Days of YOre.
Once upon time a motorist
could take his family out and,
even on Sunday, anticipate no
trouble along the road unless his
machine broke down or a tire
blew out.
Today these troubles are most
rare, due to the development and
perfection of the motor car, along
with which the tires have KEEP:
pace. What a pity it is then, with
these former troubles almost
thing of the past, that the motor
iSt should face new ones, and ones
to cause him much more alarm.
No matter how careful driver
Ia u l. L. 81.
to return from a trip of any dis
tance without experiencing some
misfortune to his tenders, his
bumpers, his radiator, his hub
caps, If nothing more serious.
Then all the narrow escapes he
may have had from accidents in
no way bring him any peace of
mind.
What Price Care?
There is no wonder when one
picks up the newspapers, especial |
ly on Monday mornings, that one
sees so many fatalities and in
jurieS. It is, indeed, a wonder that
there are not more. It would be
bad enough If it were only the
reckless driver that was penalized
for his doings. Worse if it in
cluded occupants of his car. But
how much worse it is when so
often the victim or victims are in
other carS-cars driven with the
utmost care.
It is said that service stations
and repair shops do not make
money in fixing up damaged cars.
At times one would think this
statement was fallacy. Be that
as 1t may, it would appear as a |
good investment for automobile |
companies to set aside some funds
for their dealers to establish |
schools or courses where the buy
ing public might be instructed
little more about running a car
and its obligations. Teaching a
buyer how to start and stop a car |
and how to turn 1t around a cor
ner is not sufficient.
II this were carried out it might
react to the advantage of the
automotive world. There is still a
lot more room on the highways
for cars, but not for cars driven
by inexperienced or reckless
chauffeurs. The teaching of the |
obligations Of driving might curb |
reckleSSneSS.
Situation Perplexing.
Just what a motorist can do
about an accident along the road
in State outside of his own is
perplexing. All motorists cannot |
leave all details up to their inSur-
CvINn a inPffxg Nf |
drivers find that to be fully in
sured calls for very high rates
At the best, he can afford only to
carry certain policies that he con-
SiderS necessary.
In the event a motoriSt Is struck |
and he is in no way to blame-juSt |
what can he do? Take an in
stance like which there are many.
If the erring driver condescendS
to stop, the innocent driver gets |
out of his car and approaches the
offender. Weakness or harShneSS
bring generally the same result.
The two cars are examined. An
excuse is offered as rule. but how
ludicrouS often it is. There are
no policemen around. The motor
ist responsible for the accident
treats the collision generally as
unavoidable-that is, If he does
not try to place the blame on the
other driver. Cars are blowing |
their horns behind to get by. No,
the offending driver becomes in
dignant at the thought of paying
for the damages. Seldom even
1t is said that he was sorry that
cit happened"
Poor Consolation.
His name and license number |
Ore 10 eY1 tIYf RI YnlISh tha m affer