The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-13

Superintendent of Police William
J.. Roach, relnarking that after all's
said and done manners play big
part in highway safety, today elab-
GRATED on his Emily Post hints fol
motorists.
The courteous driver inlpresses
other motorists as being also COM
petent driver, the chief said. His
statment follows:
mo substitute for courtesy in
the operation of a motor vehicle
has yet been found. A motorist
could operate upon any street or
highway, safely and without in
reference with the movement Of
traffic in spite of q lack Of know
ledge Of right-of-way rules. by
simply being polite.
Laws have made the RESPONSE
bilities Of the notorist easier by
establishing that movements that
are right or worn. But these law
cannot entirely supersede high
way custom and etiquette.
Unlimited funds have been
spent on streets and highways,
Yet, In spite Of this engineering
improvement and the engineering
studies made to aid the flow of
traffic. the maximum possible
now of traffic Is not always reach
ed. The friction in most cases can
be traced to inconsiderate, selfish,
or thoughtless motorists who
sometimes violate traffic laws or
are rudely impoMte. This bad
manners system results in grave
consequences which result In the
loss of human lives. Consequently
most of the value of the i'm
provement is lost If not used
properly.
On Ali Occasions
For the motorist to display
courtesy by stopping at a stop
sign, or to operate at the posted
legal rate Of speed is not enough.
1t Is also necessary for these OPP
erations to be done In the proper
traffic lane so as to allow vehicles
executing n-conflicting move
ments to proceed without inter-
ference. Not only does courtesy
speed up the flow Of traffic and
render the highway safer, but 1t
also impresses other motorists
with the fact that the courteous
driver Is also a competent driver.
To allow definite periods of time
to operate between points Is not
inconsistent with the general use
Of streets and highways. Modern
business is operated on schedule.
Practically all working people al
low a definite period OF time in
which to commute and most
travellers desire to cover the dis
lance as rapidly as possible.
Therefore, q skillful driver who
correctly and properly negotiateS
all maneuvers, who possesses a
high regard for the safety of all,
but who nevertheless operates
swiftly but within the established
speed limits, has right to expect
other motorists to allow him to
proceed. For the other motorists
to inadvertently Of willfully him
der his progress Is bad etiquette.
Highway manners must also in
clude thoughtfulness as motorists
are required, FIRST to be consider
ate In their selection Of the street
or highway they desire to travel
upon, and second, to be consider
ate to respectful In dealing with
other motorists. This need Of
thoughtfulness Is amplified by the
high accident rates. In the early
evening prior to the super-hour.
and on week-ends and holidays.
Road "Chiselers"
In the first instance, routes
taken by workmen, shoppers are
often congested by motorists who
have plenty Of time but no de.
finite destination In mind or who
are inexperienced drivers Their
actions. although they may not
be unsafe on the leSser-traveled
roadways. are hazardous on prin.
cipal thoroushfares during traffic
peaks. The second instance con.
Germs the determined. sclf-cen-
tered. aggressive driver who
chisels beyond his proper place IN
traffic cuis-lIl on patient law
abiding drlVeEs. and forces other
QacominR motorists 70 yield BE-
fore him.