Newspapers / The Echo (Pisgah Forest, … / Feb. 1, 1952, edition 1 / Page 33
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PATRIOTISM ON THE HIGHWAY Our observance of Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays make February a month when the sub ject of patriotism is very popular. During January and February, one important phase of patriotism has been emphasized by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and by local enforcement officers. They have been telling us about traffic laws, and our duty to obey them. We hope that many citizens alive today will never have to prove their patriotism on the battle field. But most of us will have plenty of oppor tunity to prove it on the public highways. It isn’t hard to connect good driving with patriotism. Patriotism means not only love of country, but love of countryman. A driver who endangers the lives of others by lawless operation of a motor vehicle isn’t much of a patriot—no matter how much he boasts about the protection of American institutions. There is growing evidence that habitual traf fic violators are fast losing any popularity they may have enjoyed in the past. The trend in public opinion is to consider the traffic law violator as an enemy of society, not as an adventurous hero. That is as it should be. An aroused public opinion can do a lot to enforce respect for our traffic laws. The violator may think he can steer clear of the traffic officer, but he knows he can’t escape the resentment of his neighbors, his passen gers and his fellow motorists. Actually, the traffic laws give a perfect illustra tion of the general idea on which our country was founded. The Declaration of Independence stated that "all men are created equal”.' Our everyday traffic laws proclaim that very same idea. Can you possible think of a greater "equalizer” than the common traffic signal? The red stop light that makes every driver the equal of every other driver. The red light flashes on and off, without regard to who you are or what kind of car you are driving. The red light means stop— and it means everybody. When the light is against him, the proudest man in town must give the right-of-way to the humblest. Did you ever see a speed limit sign that would automatically jump from 35 miles-per-hour to 55 miles-per-hour whenever an "important” indi vidual drove past? No sir! The traffic sign gives the same message to EVERYBODY—and EVERY BODY is expected to obey it. That is the kind of control that appeals to us Americans. It gives us a sense of personal dignity and of equality under the law. It’s a "fair play” arrangement that appeals to our sense of sports manship. Public opinion will really rise up against the traffic law violator when we once get the idea that he thinks he’s just a little bit better than the rest of us. We just don’t appreciate a fellow like that. Instead of asking a speeding driver where the fire is, or what’s the big rush, a traffic officer could just as appropriately ask the question, "JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?” Are YOU a privileged character? Are YOU too important to obey traffic laws? Are YOU any better than the rest of us? The American public deeply resents special privilege granted to any individuals. General sup port and obedience of all traffic laws is the answer. SAFETY ALPHABET Always Be Careful Don’t Ever Forget, the Greater the Hurry, the more Injuries result. Just try to Keep busy; Let your Mind be on your job. Neglect Often leads to Permanent disability. Quit making excuses; Results Speak for Themselves. Use your head, it’s Very valuable. When at work X -ercise due care; Your injuries will drop to Zero. HOW FAST DOES THE WIND BLOW? The next time that you are out in a breeze, or even if you are caught in a gale, you can have a little fun by trying to estimate the force or speed of the wind. Statistics show that a wind of ap proximately 1 mph doesn’t affect the atmosphere to any great extent. Smoke will rise vertically at this wind speed. It takes a breeze of 4 to 7 mph before the leaves will rustle slightly and before you will feel the movement against your face. When dust, loose paper, and small branches are moved, the wind is about 13 to 18 mph. From 25 to 31 mph, large branches are started in motion, the telegraph wires begin to whistle. Slight dam age to houses conmiences when the wind is 47 to 54 mph. At 55 to 63 mph, trees are uprooted. The hurricane results from a bustling wind of 75 mph or better.
The Echo (Pisgah Forest, N.C.)
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Feb. 1, 1952, edition 1
33
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