Evening star., 1931-12-06

without traffic many automobile
owners might not be able to drive their
cars and accidents might be even more
numerous than under present condi-
tions. BY this view held by some of
the most experienced drivers and keen
est observers of motoring, traffic steps
into new, radical and hopeful role.
Following the Leader.
As the psychologists explain it, other
cars serve as a guide to the average
driver. He is safer following the leader
and going with the herd than he would
be II he had the whole road to himself.
Concrete evidence to support the
new theory is everywhere noted At
least l out of every 10 drivers, or ap-
proximately 100000, are unable to
place car in its stall in a public
garage. Turning around is an ordeal
for many hundreds of thousands. A
surprising number of operators can
not keep straight on their own drive
ways, even running in forward direc-
ton.
1t Is customary - speculate as to
how certain drivers .&e able to get by"
on the streets and Highways when they
evidence such lack of ability by them
selves How" asks the bewildered
observer, do they get away with it?"
Traffic helps them" say exponentS
OF the new theory.
Tests show that drivers who are un-
able to run along private driveway
without shaving off part of the lawn
may drive daily through thick traffic
without ever scratching fender. When
other cars are placed on the scene even
the most inexperienced driver functions
in keener manner. If the other cars
keep In straight line, as they invaria-
bly, do in the most dense traffic, the
driver is guided accordingly. He merely
aims to keep a safe distance from the
car to his left and is automatically pro-
tected by the driver of the car to his
right.
Experiment Illuminating.
An experiment made by driver with
over 100000 miles of operation to his
credit proved Illuminating He ap-
preached traffic light at an inter
section where there were no other cars.
At the fash of the red light he applied
his brakes and found that while he had
been travelling only 80 miles an hour
ne was unable to stop at the white line.
Several blocks beyond he was forced to
make similar sudden stop, but was
travelling 40 miles per hour at the time
and found himself behind another car.
But he stopped with ample margin of
safety.
Thinking that the seemingly greater
efficiency of the second stop was the
result Of the brakes being warmed up,
he made further tests along the route
only to discover that every time he
was alone at an intersection he ex-
perienced more difficulty stopping. At
times the brakes seemed to- be falling
him. At no time when obliged to stop
suddenly behind other cars did he
experience any sensation of failure.
Analyzing the matter carefully he
concluded that his failure to stop eff
GENTLY when alone was due to slower
thinking and action. He proceeded on
the assumption that if he did not stop
promptly nothing would happen. This
caused him to delay pressing the brake
pedal and to fail TO press it vigorously
enough at the beginning.
The secret of efficiency in stopping
is to initiate brake action as quickly
as possible and to press reasonably
hard on the brake from the moment
deceleration commences. Most drivers.
If there are no other cars around, ap-
ply the brakes too gently at the start