HELPING THE NOVICE

Evening Star, Issue 21619, 15 January 1934, Page 11

HELPING THE NOVICE

NERVOUS BEGINNERS Doctors have determined that profound physical reactions, detrimental to health, occur when people become enraged. Toxins are even produced in the blood. In less degree, but perhaps with a more serious cumulative effect,' recurring irritability definitely lowers the vitality, and adds to life’s burdens not only to the individual but by repercussions on other and quite innocent people. , The expert; driver is necessarily subjected to all kinds of annoyance on city streets. It is irritating,' for instance. to be held up by a stalled engine ahead, perhaps causing • further delay by missing the right of way at a street crossing. There is a constant flow of recru-ts to motor car driving, dnd the novice has to learn by experience before he acquires a road sense. It follows., therefore, that there must always be a percentage ot motorists who unwittingly commit indiscretions and interfere with the. smooth flow of city traffic.

The beginner is nervous, and his over-anxiety is the main factor that leads him into difficulties.. Afraid of stalling his engine, races it too much, and alarmed at the noise goes to the opposite extreme and does just the thing he' has been trying to avoid—he stalls the engine. Covered with confusion at his he becomes flustered and indiscretions and errors of judgment follow. Probably few motorists can honestly boast of passing through their novitiate without mental stress and the commission of minor sins that brought an apologetic flush to their cheeks. The novice will soonest overcome his nervousness if treated sympathetically. It is only a matter of confidence, and the more frequently he is execrated instead of being excused, the longer it will be before the' necessary confidence is attained.

Irritation is unhealthy, and sympathetic allowance helps the novice. Moreover, the thoroughly competent motorist' loses very little time in the long run' by .these road delays, and ma\ well afford, from the height of his faultless handling of a car, to allow. :a little, indulgence to the novice, to the rare lapse of an otherwise careful driver, or even to an occasional piece of foolishness.