THE FEMALE MOTORIST

Shannon News, 3 August 1926, Page 2

THE FEMALE MOTORIST

WOMAN AND PRIVILEGE

She drove serenely down the middle of the s:reet at about 12 miles an hour. _ I wanted to pass. To do so I had mv choice of violating the ordinance which prohibits driving to the right of the middle line of the street or breaking the one which forbade passing on the left side of a moving car. Or I could honk my horn. So I honked. I honked once more. honked again and again. When I had almost resigned myself to the lamentable necessity pf violating the law .he purpose of my repeated honking apparently dawned upon her. She turned her head an instant, and then leisurely and slowly verred toward the right. As I drew alongside she turned again with the obvious intention of inliictihg on, mo a look of such blazing scorn and indignation that never again would I have the temerity to honk in so uncouth and offensive a manner at one of the gentler , sex. But while endeavouring to tranfix me with a look of poignant scorn she neglected the trifling precaution of watching her own driving. And smashed, head on, into a car which was innocently parked at the curb. I would not go so far as to state that women are not constitutionally fitted for driving. However it is probably true that a much larger proportion is likely to suffer from the frequent emergencies which arise ip operating a motor car than is true of men. Motorists have been heard to say that a characteristic disregard, of everything to the rear of the front seat line seems to bo conspicuous in the driving of 90 per cent, of all women who operate motor cars. It is undoubtedly true that too many rely of the privileges accorded their sex;, and accept chances which, of course, would result entirely in the other person’s fault in case of accident. It must also be accepted that in many instances a woman driver lacks the strength for sudden twists at the wheel and quick powerful application of the brakes. She lacks poise and insensibility to “nerves.” And she lacks the practice and skill which comes from constant daily operation of the car. If your wife insists on driving better let her drive something cheap, and load up with insurance.