NERVOUS PASSENGERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 17 August 1929, Page 15

NERVOUS PASSENGERS.

EFFECT UPON THE DRIVER. Few motorists invariably take the road alone ; one’s complement usuudy varies considerably as to numbers and 1 a® to composition. Now passengers can have a very great effect upon a driver’s enjoyment of scenery, and! of motoring itself. It is a not over-common frame of mind which allows its possessor to derive the same pleasure, for instance', from a magnificent view on occasions when alone as when there is a companion with whom to share the many varied charms of the countryside.

Yes, passengers are important (writes H.S.L. in the “Autocar”). May they' live up to their responsibilities. Better none, .though, than the type that jars upon one’s sensitivities'. It is a subject of which I have written before. There are passengers who in minor fashion grumble on every possible ooca* S'ion, who seem almost .to take delight in-ruining the smoothness of a. keenly anticipated journey. Others lose their nerve, or become fretful, if one travels at. speeds which-, though imquestionably reasonable to them appear dangerous.

It is a difficult situation. To .sympathise with the genuinely nervous man or woman iis possible, but no paiSKsentger is reall|y competent tie criticise liiis driver’s behaviour unless he is himiseilff a driver of some experience or Jims wt.ro ng reasons for forming an unfavoura.ble opinion of a. certain pilot’s methods.

A passenger who conspicuously lacks confilence in his driver and betrays hi® uneasiness bv repeated word and pasture. is a very definite handicap to anyone at the wheel of a. car. Comparatively few motorist® enjoy so much confidence in their skill that- they can remain completely unshaken by such an attitude on the part of their companions. The best drivers try to. cutivtate the habit of acting sensibly and normally irrespective of those whom they happen to have on board.

The crux of the matter a® far as the question of speed and' methods which seemi to ho n®ky to the man sitting be'side the driver is concerned., lies in the sense of inaction necessarily uppermost in a paissenger’s mind. He know® that, whatever he feels, ho can do little or nothing; he ii!s entirely in the hands of the other man.

The advice ha® been put forward that drivers 'should' select their passengers with extreme care, that they may carry with them those, who soothe rather than fray their nerves. To .simplify the situation still further, let it be .suggested that passenger® choose their drivers with equal care! There, can then be but little mom for misunderstanding.