Evening star., 1948-10-22
More on Horn Blowers

In refutatton OF the letter to The Star signed
David L. Powell, would like to say that have
been driving in Washington more than half q
dozen years" and firmly believe that fully rs
per cent Of the horn blowing In this city Is un-
necessary.
The chief offenders seem to be the taxi driv-
ers. wonder if that Is Mr.. Powels occupa-
ton?
However, my experience has been that the
majority Of horn-tooters are merely giving vent
to Ill temper-invariably the light has not yet
turned from red to green or the driver being
footed at is waiting for pedestrian to clear
his path or there is an unavoidable tie-up of
trafhc that cannot be blamed on any one indi-
vidual. Sometime one might even be having
very obvious motor trouble; as though that isn't
exasperating enough, the horn-tooter behind
must lean on the horn to add to your exasper-
alton.
think fitting punishment for such Offend
ers would be that they be placed in padded cells
and have horns blown at them at specified
intervals for "a hours. A. L. HALL.
To the Editor Of The Star:
AT last the horn-tooter are kicking because
they are being curbed I congratulate the
officials for their efforts. For years I've been
seeing and hearing people toot without reason
One other reform that should be effected is the
turning left from the middle of the street, es-
pecially at Twelfth and K streets NV.
How wish that I had the authority to give
tickets for infringements of the law! Again
congratulate and thank the officials for their
efforts to make Washington q dignined place,
living up to its reputation as the Nations Capt.
tal r. =
To the Editor Of The Star:
Let us presume to hope that the antitrafI1c
noise campaign can be extended to that street.
car operator who, apparently lacking the Dos
session Of q baby rattle, seeks solace In the
ciang OF the nauseating gong beneath his heavy
foot. SOL, LEVINE
To the Editor of The Star:
OF all the silly. asinine campaigns to take
up this antitooting drive is the worstl Trust
the master minds down at the Traffic Bureau
70 PICK on such trivial picayunish thing as
norm blowing to try to remedy q bad trafic
situation. while back 1t was q hand signals
campaign. What will it be next?
Oont get me wrong. I agree with most
people who condemn long, insistent blasts
or footing OF totally unnecessary nature.
The rub comes when you try to interpret
unnecessary"
TO condemn horn blowing except in case
OF immediate danger Is in itself dangerous
For the horn is q vital and very useful part
OF . car when used judiciously-and in con-
junction with brakes and common sense It
Is the communication system between drivers,
I can think Of several instances when q gentle
ousinesslike beep Of the horn might avert
possible trouble and yet not be absolutely
necessary" Some Of these are:
!. To request q slow-moving car in front
OF you to move over 20 that you may pass
What Is one supposed to do-lean out the
window and shout at such o driver to move
or. perhaps, whiz past him on the right-an-
other violation Of the trafnc law?
T. To blow at car approaching an inter-
section ut which you have the right-of-way:
sometimes drivers take right-of-w when
they shouldn't. A zip Of the horn simply
tells them not to do So
3. To give warning to a car in front
which you are passing but which might turn
out on you. Quite often drivers move from
sure no one is passing them
t. To advise some one coming out of a park
ing space to wait until you are past before
pulling out into traffic A beep might prevent
. hooked fender or bumper
g. To wake up . pedestrian who is look
Ing the wrong way or not looking at all
g.! To warn . child riding . bike or skating.
They are all too often oblivious of the fact
that cars use the street, too
These are just a few instances that come to
mind when . horn might save you trouble
In no case is a long raucous or prolonged blast
necessary.
Personally, I shall continue to toot in all the
above instances or any others, this so-called
campaign notwithstanding. If I have to pay
nne, still will consider 1t a bargain as COM
pared to possible smash-up or personal injury.
After ALL our learned trafdc judges who
lecture" offenders don't know all there is
to know about driving, either.
Instead of wasting their time and energies
In such absurdities as the present campaign,
why don't the authorities really do something
to improve the bad conditions? One thing
they might do is synchronize the trafic lights,
on the main streets at least, so you don't miss
every light for several blocks. Right now.
to make two lights In q row In some places,
you must either drive As miles an hour or 10
miles an hour. Another thing that might
be done Is to enforce trafac regulations on
taxis and buses like on any one else Bus
drivers seem to think they own the streets.
One cute trick they have is to drive in the
leIt lane until tney want to pick up passengers.
Then they simply barge over into the right
lane, crowding to the curb any one so foolish
as to wish to dodge their exhaust fumes by
not riding directly behind them. When they
pull out from the curb, the opposite process
occurs.
Oh, well! It's Washington! After all, Los
Angeles is worse, anyway! But the Los
Angelians aren't plagued with drives"
LITTLE TOOT.
Navy Athletic Association Blamed
To the Editor Of The Star:
In the sports column 'Win, Lose or Draw"
by Francis stann, which appeared in your
Sunday edition. october IT, there was an
item which needs clarifcation. 1t stated that
"The Navy Athletic Association officials are
displeased with the lack of interest shown by
Baltimore in Navys home games this season
rl %hroot IN u,hio