Evening star., 1954-02-19
PsYchiatrY, Religion
Effective in ADDING
zest 10 Motoring
By Frederick c. Russell

sailing perhaps you need an anal
ysis of the problem and some ex-
pert advice on what to do to
overcome your difficulties.
This is the message of those
who, viewing the deplorable ac-
cident situation and the dissat-
isfaction of a large section of the
motoring public with an array of
current difficulties, believe that
psychiatry and religion could
play an effective role in making
motoring the helpful, healthful
and intriguing activity it is pic
tured to be in glamor advertis-
ing.
It is no secret that what passes
for careleSsneSs and expense in
motoring is a direct result of
Illustration. weaknesses and mis-
understandings of car owners
and drivers. yet little is done
about it. Those who are acci-
dent prone or hostile to regula-
tions may eventually be ruled off
the road. but the rank and file
of operators who could be led
into a more intelligent under
standing of their problems and
solutions just go on day after
day cropping along with no ex-
pectation of improvement.
Do Not Realize Difficulty.
In clinics where driving prob
lens come up for careful con-
slderation, it is found that many
motorists do not realize that
much of their difficulty is due to
emotional stability.
One new driver could not put
her car away in the garage be-
cause, as prodding revealed, she
thought a neighbor was looking
on and being critical.
One fairly experienced driver
did not realize that he was al
ways getting into arguments with
other drivers and traffic officers
because it was his habit to go
out by himself in the car every
time he had a family argument.
He thought he was getting re-
lief but actually he simply car
rled his problem with him. Un-
der such stress his mind was not
on his driving. 1t led him to
operate the car poorly from the
standpoint of its mechanical
well-being.
Poor Night Vision.
In a check-up of those who
are fearful of driving at night
1t was found that most of those
who like to stop driving before
nightfau had parents who COM
planned of poor night vision. The
younger generation did not real
lze that not only did it have bet
ter night vision but also that
cars and street lighting have
been greatly improved.
The man who drives with the
cars horns is simply an enlarged
version of the little boy who
comes tearing doWnhill on his
bike while letting out a war hoop
to notify everyone en- route.
All the difficulty authorities
are now having with use of lille
gal cut-outs and exhaust noise
makers is another phase of the
childish impulse to show off.
1t is interesting to note that
the foreign cars which have
caught on most in America are
those which show off their
owners to best advantage, not
necessarily cars which are pri-
marily designed for economy.
That they happen to cover
both desires in so many cases is
tribute to the makers of i'm
ported cars, but this doesn't
cover the ornamental fact that
many sale is based on a desire
to be different.
Reason for Ownership.
Fundamentally too large a sec
tor of the driving public isn't
thinking along right lines.
You get what you think about
The situation was quite different
when the automobile was coming
into the picture. First we had
those who like adventure, per-
sons who were willing to risk in
convenience and ridicule to ad-
vance new step in transporta-
ton.
When cars became practical to
own many bought them for the
opportunity to see the country
and enjoy a new type of family
recreation. Then came those
who used cars for business.
Many can tell of cars being
bought to make it possible for
handicapped persons to get out
into the world again. This all
represented sound thinking. pro-
duced sound results.
But there have been some
changes. What is behind car
ownership today?
We hear of the man who says
he uses a car only for going to
work. Why does he feel so linn
tied in use of the car? Wouldn't
he take care of the car, and drive
with more consideration for its
welfare, if he were to consider
its extra uses and advantages
and pleasures?
Many buy new cars with no
special thought in mind except
to look prosperous.
One of the most battling men
tai quirks of all is Illustrated by
the motoriSt who hates traffic
but who always manages to gel
into it unnecessarily. He resiSts
being taught ways and means o1
getting out of traffic Jams.