Evening star., 1937-10-10

Probably it Is because the driver does
not think, and thinking today is
most imperative-quick thinking, too.
One has to think in business to safe
guard and advance his interests.
Surely, it is more necessary to think
when operating car.
As the cold days approach, proper
attention to signaling before stopping
or making a turn, or even slowing
down. should more than ever be i'm
pressed upon each motorist. IN chilly
weather it is found much easier and
comfortably desirable to lower the
side window about an inch and point
out one finger as indicating what the
driver plans. Seldom can such a
motion be detected by the car in the
rear. One might as we'll not make
the attempt at all. Any signal to be
effective must be fully and properly
given.
The American Automobile Associa-
ton mas given much time and study
to signaling and its findings should
prove of timely interest.
Following a study of accident causes
the A. A. A. places share of the
blame for traffic crashes on the al
most complete national break
down in the practice of motorists
giving hand signals TO indicate stop
ping and turning of automobiles.
TOO many motorists" says Thomas
P. Henry, president of the national
motoring body, operate their cars as
II other motorists were mind readers,
possessed with mystic powers to fore
tell when the driver of the automo-
bile ahead intends to stop or change
the direction of travel While avail
able figures indicate that failure to
give signals or improper signaling
are responsible for a great number of
accidents, it is only necessary to OBJ
serve daily driving habits to note the
total lack of signaling. The I did
and you didn't argument with ref
erence TO hand signals Is familiar
one on the highway and in the court
rooms"
Part Of the trouble, says the A. A A.,
is due to the varying requirements OF
the States with regard to signals,
two entirely different methods pre-
dominating, and this situation is far
out of line with the effort to achieve
uniformity in the basic rules govern
ing highway use.
The most simple hand signals for
all changes in the direction of travel
and for stopping Is extension of the
arm horizontally. This signal is rec
ommended in the uniform motor We
hicle code and is the requirements in
Ia States and the District of Columbia,
namely: Alabama. Georgia. Idaho.
Michigan, Minnesota. Montana, Ne
vada. New Mexico. New York. North
Dakota, Pennsylvania and South Da-
kota.
Sixteen States require extension of
the arm horizontally for left turn,
upward for right turn, and for stop
ping or slowing down, extension of
the arm downward. These States are
Arizona. California. Colorado, Illi-
nois. Kentucky, Louisiana. Maryland,
Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Tennessee. Utah, Virginia,
Washington and West Virginia.
Signal requirements in Arkansas
are: Left turn, arm extended down.
ward; right turn, arm extended up
ward; stop, arm extended horizontally.
In Connecticut, motorists are required
to extend the arm, moving hand up
and down, pointing with the index
finger to indicate left turn: extend
arm and rotate hand in circle with
fingers together. for right turn, and
extend arm horizontally, fingers to-
gether. when stopping or slowing
down
Indiana requirements are: Left.
turn. arm horizontal; right turn, ex-
tend forearm raised and at right
angle; stop or slow, arm horizontal
and moving up and down vertically.
Ssachusetts provides for left turn.
extension of arm horizontally, point