Evening star., 1933-01-29
IMPROVED DRIVERS HELD SOLE
NEED FOR SAFETY OF TRAFFIC
Eneineers Have Done Their Part In Devel-
opments of Auto and Road
Construction.

examinations, and in some States
psychological test for drivers is being
introduced. This may become the gen.
eral practice If psychological test de-
velops the fact that drivers securing
permits under such tests are superior
to the old type of drivers A good
driver is usually an observant driver
Some tests will have to be developed
to determine just how observant
driver is. A driver should be able to
take in at a glance the conditions at
an intersection and to determine in
stantly what the other fellow is going
to do. A good driver must not only
be able to operate his own car safely,
but he should also be able theoretically
to drive the other fellows car.
Some drivers are color blind. The
percentage of color blind drivers is not
yet definitely known. When 1t is con-
sidered that 80 per cent of all con-
trolled intersections in the majority of
cities are controlled by traffic lights,
readily be seen. Traffic engineers,
recognizing this fact, are now standard
izing the position of traffic lights, that
Is, the red is always at the top amber
or yellow in the middle and the green
at the bottom, because it is known
that many drivers are color blind and
some provision for their protection and
the protection OF other users should
be made.
Between Is And FL.
Our records in the District indicate
that greater percentage of accidents
are caused by drivers between 18 and 81
years OF age than by any other age
group. Our reords further show a
smaller percentage of accidents being
caused by drivers who are between Is
and 18 years of age than by any other
age group. The reason for this is that
in the District no permit is issued
until a person is l6 years of age and
between the ages Of 16 and 10 the
person must obtain the consent of the
parent or guardian and he may not
operate any car except for pleasure
and unless the car Is owned by himself,
his parent or his guardian. These facts
indicate that the age limit for minors
permits should be raised from 18 to 81
years OF age. No person who is less
than 21 should be permitted to operate
vehicle except one owned by him
self. his parent or his guardian. Un-
doubtedly, such a change in law would
reduce the number of accidents caused
by persons who are between 18 and
21 years of age
There is another type of driver who
deserves special comment It is the
horn-blowing type. Generally speaking
person who is constantly blowing his
horn as he travels on the street is a
selfish person who insists upon his own
right of way whether it belongs to him
or not. Any person who blows his
horn at pedestrian who is crossing
the street at an intersection or at a
crosswalk Is taking or attempting to
take the right of way from the pedes-
TRAN. A horn blower is usually q
speeder or a reckless driver. A good
driver seldom uses his horn; he prefers
to use his head and his brakes.
Praises Back Seat Driver.
The back seat driver is often criti-
cized and commented upon in the news
papers. Personally, I am in favor of
the back seat driver and believe that
he performs a useful function. almost
as important as q sailor on the prov
OF a ship who frequently points out
to the captain on the bridge objects
which the captain may not observe
The back seat driver has through
timely warning prevented many an
accident and am q great believer
in the back seat driver who deserves
to be promoted to the rank of assistant
driver.