Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-19
By Corter Wolker

What are the chances of being
able to learn to drive a car skill
fully in these days of high speed,
congested roads and complicated
traffic regulations?
Beginners can take hope from
the belief of many observers that
the newcomer never had it so
good. Not only are cars much
easier to operate, but there are
greatly improved methods of in,
struction.
Added to these advantages is
the fact that traffic control has
reached the point where it is an
aid to proper handling of the
car rather than problem.
The facts are especially en-
oouraging to those adults who
for one reason or another in
their family situation now find
it necessary to learn how to
drive. They need not approach
their schooling with fear and
trembling.
SlipShOd Methods Gone.
\ Available to them Is the same
sort of system used to make
high-school students licensed
drivers. And gone from the pic
ture are the slipshod methods
used by friends or members Of
the family who were not only
poor instructors but often poor
examples.
Many Of the people who are
now just learning to drive may
become the finest of motor citi-
zens. They do not have a lot
of faults to unlearn.
Experience may be a great
teacher but the trouble with so
many of those who have been
driving for years is that they
haven't as yet learned their les
son. Currently too many are try
ing to drive as if the roads were
as empty as they were 20 years
ago.
If Goethe could take up Greek
at the tender age of four score,
there is no good reason why any
one in sound mind and body
should not be able to learn how
to drive one of the very capable
ears Of the day.
In fact, with automatic trans
missions and a few changes In
the controls, 1t is possible for
badly manned persons to drive
with comparative ease.
Mental Stability Important.
Every one who now considers
taking up driving should bear In
mind that skill isn't as important
as mental stability and dispo-
sition. One of the first things
new drivers are taught is cour-
tesy. Emphasis Is on the other
fellow-not merely to watch out
for him but to look out for his
interests.
All this today should start in
the classroom. If no such for
NAL schooling is available to the
adult then he should arrange to
be tutored before actually taking
the wheel.
In a Brooklyn high school stu
dents get into dummy cars which
are equipped with the usual con-
trolls, and their handling Of the
cars as scenery is projected on
a motion picture screen is re-
corded for the instructor.
Among the reasons why learn
ing to drive today should be
comparatively easy is the wide
spread use of automatic trans
missions and torque converters
which eliminate the need for
clutching. Shifting is also elm
mated although much more en-
phasis should be given to under
standing proper handling Of
these automatic drives. This can
come along with experience.
Dual Controls.
Brakes are so efficient these
days any car that is being driven
around Is miles per hour can
literally be stopped on a dime.
Greatest aid to driving instruc-
ton, however, is the dual con-
troll car which eliminates fear of
serious consequences should the
beginner become confused.
Gone is the nagging husband
or the parent who doesn't want
junior or sister to drive anyway.
With tempers eliminated the
newcomer can get down to the
business at hand.
Better selection of routes for