Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-21
Trick apparatus Soon Catces the Careless Automobe Drv

The pursuitmeter Is another instrument that
is picking out the incompetent. The experi-
ments, by the way, are being made on college
students. In this apparatus the driver uses
his hand to follow, with stylus, moving con-
tact which travels in q twisting path made up
of several simple harmonic motions Of different
cycles. AS long as he maintains contact the
apparatus viii run at maximum speed. Any
loss Of contact slows down the leading contact
The normal rate without loss of contact Is two
minutes for the complete cycle of movements.
This is more than a steadiness test It dis
covers emotional upsets." Il Is easy to lose
contact, and some drivers quickly 60 TO pieces
when once they get OF the track.
The pursuitmeter shows what the driver Is
capable Of doing, whereas the driving test IN
dictates what he actually does.
To summarize the results to date 1t may be
said:
The lethargic, dreamy individual is likely TO
have accidents Independent Of any superior akill
he may possess. In other words, accidents
among students appear to be largely matter
Of carelesSness. However, this carelessness
shows up on laboratory driving performance
records. 4
MEN are more efficient as chauffeurs be-
cause of habits of aggressive activity.
Women, on the other hand, show less efficiency
because Of their passive attitude. The records
show much more activity on the part Of male
subjects.
There is some evidence Of nervousness on the
part Of women. Clutch and brake are pushed
down at inopportune times. In addition to ex-
cessive activity, many. Of the movements are
nal-directed. agst -
An investigation Of student accidents dis
closed the following facts:
22.5 per cent had not driven cars
IA per cent have had accidents while driving
such that one or both cars had to be lowed
to garage or one or more persons had 70
have medical care.
80 per cent had 474 Of the accidents.
OF those who have driven, the mean number
of years driving Is 3.25.
F. With college students an accident occurs In
every 1872. years Of driving
OF those who have had accidents the mean
number Of years driving IS Asa, with an acci-
dent occurring every 81 years. ~
It seems that q very small percentage OF
persons contribute large percentage Of smash-
ups It is this reckless, incompetent, mteach--
abe minority that should be ruled OF the road.
At any rate, the National Research Council
IS looking into the matter, This particular bit
OF investigation. Is being carried on at Niche,
gan State College Michigan requires an opera.
tors license as well as o car license like the
District Of Columbia. The psychologist at
Michigan State College Is placing on cards OF
various colors the names and addresses Of about
100 reckless drivers about 400 drivers who have
participated in auto accidents In which some
person was injured, and about TOO drivers who
have been convicted Of speeding These consti-
tute the total local police court records Of such
cases for last year ...y.
The cards also show the number Of repetittOns
OF. the offense, and the number Of ofenses g
other types.
= y. :. b
- - ''H~ss- a.. = e4.F