The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-07-08
MENTAL LAPSES CAUSE
MAJORITY OF ACTOMO.
BILE ACCIDENTS

Mental lapses on the part of
the driver, some of which
seem trivial, cause the majori-
ty of automobile accidents, ac-
cording to Motor Vehicle Com
missioner, E. Austin Baugh-
man. In connection with
Courtesy Week, July 3 to $, he
outlined as follows, what he
termed the most serious Of
these:
mo. 1. When the driver
engages in back-seat CONVEX
sation and momentarily turns
around. This is a serious dis
traction un der present-day
traffic conditions. Safety de-
mands the concentration of
ones entire attention OH the
operation of the car. Lack of
concentration, the temptation
on the part of the driver tc
turn around, has ditched many
a car.
mo. 2. Crowding of the
drivers seat. The most skill
ful driver needs plenty of room
for the safe operation of his
ear and with more than TWO on
the seat, the driver is hamper
ed, especially in an emergency.
One-arm driving, also, comes
under this category, as it is ex-
lremely dangerous to have an
arm around a fellow-passenger
and but one hand on the wheel,
when an emergency arises.
''No. 8. When the driver is
sleepy and fatigued. Here dan
ger turks, for no one can con-
centrate in driving while in
his condition. Stop driving.
Let someone else take the
Wheel, or park somewhere off
the highway and take a nap.
Doing while at the wheel is
fraught with dire results and
has brought an untimely end
TO the driver or other occ,l-
pants of a car.
mo. 4. Prolonged study of
the dashboard devices. Keep
your eyes on the road. An &C.
casional glance at the indicat- :
ing devices is important, but
prolonged study of them often
causes accidents. If anything
seems to be wrong, stop the
car well off the travelled por-
ton of the highway, or turn
into side road where there is
little traffic in order to search
out the trouble.
mo. 5. Substitution of horn
blowing for careful driving.
When crossing intersections
play doubly safe. The horn is
for emergency use, not a device
that takes the place of brakes,
nor does the sounding of it give
the driver the right to speed
across an intersection without
due regard for approaching
traffic, or for pedestrians. The
horn-blowing driver no. only
annoys, but is a menace to
highway safety.
mo. 6. 'Hogging' of tie
road. Many lapses, some in
territorial, come under this
classification. The driver wro
persists in holding to the CEN
Ter of the road; the one wco
cuts in and out of traffic lines
with little or no consideration
OF the approaching cars; the
one who, through intent or
thoughtlessness, goes through
a red signal light, fails TO obey
a stop sign or passes a trolley
car receiving or discharging
passengers, OF OVerCaKeS a car
at a curve or on the crest of a
hill, either wilfully or through
mental lapse, contributes to
the appalling toll of acc idents
on the streets and highway.
Strict attention to these
rules of conduct will save MANY
lives and prevent multitudes of
accidents. s." Motor Vehicle
Commissioner Baughman said,
IF every motor car operator
would avoid these lapscs and
hold to the golden rule of the
road, drive as you would have
others drive, highways wouid
be safer and there would be
more pleasure and comfort in
operating a motor car"
ORPHANS COURT
Bond Approved-E. T.. Rob-
HING 0HV1A NJ rs+r,