The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-08-19
A MENACE. GROWING GREATER THAN EVEN
WAR AND PLAQUES f..

| WAR AND PLAQUES g..
We do not believe that any sane auto driver
lwopld deliberately run down pedestrian or crash
another car for the pure pleasure. OF seeing the
victims die or struggle through the balance OF ther
Lives deforned and crippled. Yet sane auto drivers
foro killing and manning their fellow human beings
lin increasing numbers each year-and drivers IL
i as and Laws have failed to curb the shocking
i ircroase in the gruesome toll The modern high
l o5 motor car with record of more than 3O,O0O
lr,d and some million injured in one year-l934
has become greater instrument of death than
war pestilence or any catastrophe since the dawn
of civilization. .. -
It has developed far beyond just one of the
major problems of our modern life, it has become
menace to civilization. We quote the following
from an editorial by National Secretary J. G. Ray
in the May issue of The Modern Woodman:
There are too many drivers of autos in a big
rush. Many of them are not going places, but just
going If their speed is increased from 60 to 65
miles per hour, they will save just eight minutes
on a 1OO-mile trip. Is it worth the hazards? AT
20 miles per hour, it requires an average of 10
feet in which to STOP at 40 miles an hour, 60 feet
is required to stop. However, at 60 miles an houT
it requires quick work and good brakes to stop
WlLnln LOO IeeC, ana dI Speeu VI on IiALSo' ~
about 24O feet to come to standstil If in doubt,
check this up clear highway Speed IS respon-
sble for most fatalities, but careless, disregard
for the rights of others, and especially for pedes-
trians enters into the situation. Then, the tooslow
driver is often at fault. The -and-out Of
traffic is menace The middle-of-the-roader IS
another, and the stop-sign-runner is frequent
offender. The truck pirate who gets over the mid
II lo,,c ybaa1S r1pht-Of-
way "alibier" are death causers.i The driver who
consumed too much liquor should stay at home IN
bed instead of sitting at the wheel 1t is not
pleasant picture to contemplate, but the traffic
death toll for 1884 as dependaby obtained was
$4,000, and for the last ten years, 30O,0OO The
number injured by autos for the year 1884 was
around million; than our losses IN all the
wars we ever fought. States requiring standard
licensing of automobile drivers show an average
accident rate of 81 per cent less than states that
do not have such precautions. Requiring drivers to
pass regular tests for licenses will not entirely solve
the problem, by any means, but will go a long way
in that direction"
No, Mr.. Ray, licensing will not entirely solve the
problem. We have been licensing drivers in our
home state, New York, for good many years, still
none of US point with pride to our safety rec
ord. Manufacturers continue to turn out cars with
greater speed yet the congested condition of our
principal highways makes alert, careful driving at
As miles an hour hazardous on Sundays and at
many other times Think of the destructive poten-
tialities of youth driving those same highways at
60 miles and better. 1t is happening every hour
of the day, every day of the week ..
There is certain mental type of Individual who
should never be allowed to drive car, under any
circumstances He is an intelligent, considerable,
good citizen as a pedestrian, but the minute he
gets steering wheel in his hand his ego arises and
makes him a selfish Indifferent road-hog who fully
believes he is entitled to twothrds of the road and
complete right of way. Education will never
change this man, will laws control his atavistc
propensties. 49,. .t...a,. .........
We believe there are three essential factors to
lowering the motor vehicle toll. They are educa-
ton, engineering and law enforcement. And each
should be pursued inteigently and persistently
DIR experienced diFeetien-The Fraternal Monito".