The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-05-31
COURTESY WEEK

AS his nrSf HidJOI HOFc, SiuCS IAN
ing office, in his campaign to make
the Maryland highways safer for mo-
florists and pedestrians, Walter R.
Rudy, Motor Vehicle Commissioner,
announced the inauguration of
Courtesy Week throughout the
State, beginning Sunday, May 26th,
and continuing through the follow
ing Sunday, June End.
Now an annual custom in Mary
citizens of the State to do their part
in reducing the number of accidents
that spread death, injury and de-
struction on the highways, said Mr..
Rudy. He pointed out that the pur-
pose of the present campaign
was to concentrate the attention of
motorists upon their attitude toward
each other and the general public.
Courtesy Week is entirely in the
hands of the public" commented Mr..
Rudy. There are no inspections,
no restrictions and no requirements.
1t is simply an appeal to all drivers
20 be courteous to each other and to
the pedestrian. And by courtesy |
do not mean an exaggerated polite
ness, but simply an observance of
he traffic laws and regulations and
display of good will. It's merely
putting into practice the old axiom
Of Live and let live"
Mr.. Rudy called attention to
figures which have been published
ately showing that traffic deaths for
1884 in the United States were close
% $4,000 and that the number in
iured during the same year was
about 100000. In the last ten
ears, in round numbers, 100000
have died in automobile accidents
md about 100000 were injured.
That's much worse than war"
Emphasized Mr.. Rudy. 81 read not
ong ago that you could add together
he American death toll of every war
n which this nation was engaged,
including the Civil War, and the
automobile is still the greatest taker
lives we have ever known. Surely
omething must be done to reduce
his dreadful toll. And l honestly
hink that Courtesy Week-in which
he motorist and the pedestrian COM
inc to make the highways safer-is
| step in the right direction"
Mr.. Rudy then went on to explain
hat automobile driving becomes a
labit, a sort of reflex action and
hat many sincere and otherwise
areful drivers tend to overlook rules
hat ought to be observed. Conse-
luently he has prepared a list of
Dos and Don'ts" and asks motor
SITS to pay especial heed to them in
their observing of Courtesy Week:
Don't drive at excessive speed.
This is the first and foremost cause
of disaster on the highways.
Don't cling 10 the center of the
road, thereby lining up vehicles in
back of you that dodge out and back |
to get around you, to the extreme
danger of themselves and all who
come near them.
Observe all stop signs.
Don't pull away from curb withou.
looking back and signalling.
Keep sharp eye on children and go
slowly through school zones. Re-
member that children playing are
not thinking human beings"
Don't jump the green light
See that your automobile is in
good mechanical condition, especially
as to brakes and lights.
Don't turn around, if you are driv-
ing, to engage in back-seat CONVEX
sations. Safety demands the con-
centration of ones entire attention
upon the operation of the car
Don't overtake and pass a car on
4 curve or on the crest of hill.
Don't be pest by undue blowing
If your horn. Horn blowing should
never be substituted for careful
driving.
Don't drive if you are sleepy or
atigued.
Observe all hand signals.
Don't crowd the front seat. Even
he most careful driver needs plenty