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Show I-ESSON NO. 63. To enumerate the different types of drivers, would be impossible, but most of them would come under the following types, or combination of them: The good driver; the capable, but discourteous or selfish; the reckless and careless; the headless; the inexperienced, and the driver who is mastered by his car, instead in-stead of being master of it. There are many people who handle their cars well, who know where to expect being be-ing placed in a difficult position ajid how to be prepared for It, but who, as they drive, will practically have a "chip-on-! their-shoulder." When they think; they have the right-of-way they will insist upon it even if by doing so they endanger endan-ger the other fellow and themselves. They will insist on their full share of the road, and a little more. They will at the slightest provocation "bawl-out" other drivers, and in short, while possibly most lovable and courteous people out of a car, will seldom sel-dom do a courteous or gentlemanly thing when driving. A large proportion of accidents are due to this type of driver, and while in the majority of cases the other fellow is made to suffer, he eventually will meet his own kind and himself come to grief. Those who have been driving tor six months or a year, are especially liable to be of the above type, and, in fact, it is the six-months to a year driver who is the dangerous one. He makes up the largest proportion of reckless drivers, for while he Is now at home at the wheel and possibly can handle his car well, he lacks experience and has not had "his heart in mouth" often enough. Experience in driving an auto is usually obtained by having near-accidents. When one has nearly been in a collision, because of a failure to slow down at a cross-road, or to watch a blind alley, because of trying try-ing to pass another car on a curve, around which one cannot see, because of a failure fail-ure to sound the horn when passing a blind road or alley, or when making a blind turn, or when passing two cars which are going in the opposite direction WU- JL if J and are one behind the other, because of a. fiiilure to heed warning sign?, or when one has nearly run over pedestrians who have stepped from behind trolley cars or standing vehicles, or when a child, apparently ap-parently without rhyme or reaEOn, has suddenly darted into the road; then one will instinctively expect these things, will be under absolute control and will watch with eyes and ears for a recurrence ot them. Experience, often costly, will cure the six months, reckless driver, but prohibiting prohibit-ing the born reckless or wireless driver from driving is the only cure for him. The same is true of the headless driver. There are many drivers, who. instead of being masters of their car, are mastered mas-tered bv it. They will appear to be reckless reck-less drivers, as they wiil travel through crowds at a dangerous speed, will go around curves fast, will constantly get into trouble, and will almost give those riding with them nervous prostration. Thoy are not reckless drivers, but because be-cause of timidity or lack of proper instruction in-struction and practice, dread shifting from third to second, are constantly afraid of stalling, and so are afraid or incapable of driving slowly. It is easy to drive fast, but it takes a good driver to go slowly New drivers and those who do not feel that they are masters of their car. should practice the following: They should make the car start verv slowly without a jerk, and be able to drive it for a long distance dis-tance at a snail's pace. This is done by letting the clutch in slowly, until the car begins to move, and then holding the clutch at this position, at the same time giving the engine a little gas. Holding the clutch stationary when the car begins to move is the entire secret of making it-move it-move at a creeping pace. They should shift from third to second. There should be no hesitation when doing this If, when the gears touch, they make a noise, thev should be driven into mesh without a stop. Stopping the shift because be-cause of the noise will make it more difficult, dif-ficult, will cause more noise and will do more harm than if the shift is driven through with one s'nortr sharp crash. All drivers should be able to start the car from a standstill up the steepest hil,. To do this, hold the car with the toot brake, throw out clutch, shift to low, with hand lever give the engine a little gas, then let up on both the clutch and brake pedal slowly, until the car shows signs of wanting to move forward, and instantly in-stantly let off the brake and slowly let up more of the clutch pedal. Before turning a sharp corner shirt to second. The law says four miles is the maximum allowable speed for this. Even though you can go through crowds on high, shift to second. You will have better bet-ter control and it is better driving. In the writer's opinion, no one has a moral right to drive a car on a wet pavement, pave-ment, especially asphalt, brick or cement, without having at least one of the rear wheels equipped, with anti-skid chains. Skidding cars often get out of the control con-trol of the best drivers. When a car skids the thing to do Is to instantly throw the front wheels so as to make the front of the car move In the same direction as the rear is skidding skid-ding .Thus in the illustration, if the rear of the car were, to skid in the direction of the arrow, the front wheels would be thrown as shown. The wheels must be straightened again the instant the skid stops. Do not apply the brakes. In descending a wet hill it is best to check the car bv using the engine as a brake, by shifting to second or low and leaving the clutch engaged. , Summing up, here is some advice to new drivers: . Be courteous to and considerate of the other driver. ' He will recognize your intention in-tention and reciprocate. Blow your horn freely, not only to wake up pedestrians, but when, approaching cross-roads, on blind turns, when passing other vehicles. In the same direction, or passing two autos going in the opposite direction. Remember that the first question ques-tion asked in court is, "Did you blow your horn?" Be the master of your car. Be sure you know what the other fellow fel-low is going to do. He may do the unexpected. un-expected. If the other fellow Insists on the right of way when it is yours, give it to him. Having the right of way will not mend a fractured skull, and lawyers can sometimes some-times make black seem white. Never get mad when driving. You make mistakes yourself, and that which made the other fellow do the unexpected may now be up to you. Instead of getting mad, become alert. In case of accident say nothing, but let the other fellow talk. Get names of witnesses, note the condition of the road, lay of the cars, etc., and the time and date. After the slightest accident immedi- 1 ately notify your insurance company, if j Insured. When a lady is at the wheel of a car, !K safety demands that she give up her wo- ". man's prerogative of "ladies first." The E rules of the road alone govern. One can- not always see that it is a woman at ; the wheel. 5 "Show-off" to your passengers how slowlv you can drive, around curves and when' necessary. They don't want to see how fast you can drive. ZL When iu doubt, be on the safe side. E |
