EDITORIAL PAGE

Page Ten ARIZONA HIGHWAYS APRIL, 1931 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

Published in the Interest of Good Roads by the ARIZONA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Vol VII APRIL, 1931 No. 4

ARIZONA STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION C. E. ADDAMS, Chairman, Phoenix JOHN B. HART, Vice-Chairman, Douglas JACOB BARTH, Commissioner, St. Johns MONTE MANSFIELD, Commissioner, Tucson SAMUEL R. TRENGOVE, Commissioner, Prescott M. C. HANKINS Secretary, Phoenix

GENERAL OFFICE State Highway Engineer

T. S. O'CONNELL C. C. SMALL Deputy State Engineer E. M. WHITWORTH Vehicle Superintendent R. A. HOFFMAN Bridge Engineer E. V. MILLER Engineer of Plans J. W. POWERS Engineer of Materials J. S. MILLS Engineer of Estimates H. C. HATCHER Statistical Engineer A. H. LIND Superintendent of Stores W. C. JOYNER Purchasing Agent R. L. JONES Chief Accountant

FIELD ENGINEERS

GEORGE B. SHAFFER District Engineer District No. 1. F. N. GRANT District Engineer District No. 2.

R. C. PERKINS District Engineer District No. 3. W. R. HUTCHINS District Engineer District No. 4. PERCY JONES Chief Locating Engineer

GEO. W. COMPARET, Editor

Subscription Rates $1.00 per year. Single copy 10 cents Advertising Rates on Request Address All Communications to Editor ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Arizona Highway Department Phoenix, Arizona

Step Lightly on the Accelerator

Arizona's death toll from traffic accidents is mounting daily, keeping apace with the record established last year. We had hoped this state would show a marked improvement in 1931.

The touring season is at hand. While we are thinking of it we should seriously consider whether we want to come home in a box, or go through life crippled, or whether we want to tour this great state of ours, seeing the wonders the Creator has placed here for us to enjoy and come home healthy and happy.

Millions of dollars have been spent on Arizona's highway system making a vast network of boulevards. We can ride hundreds of miles in a day through desert, plain, forests and mountains in safety as far as the condition of the highways are concerned. But; we must keep in mind one thing, don't let our foot get too heavy on the throttle. Thirty-five to forty miles an hour, with proper caution observed on hills and curves is a safe speed in these modern days. If maintained steadily it will get one over many miles during a day, as far as the average person would have to travel. Speeds above that are a gamble. If you read the accidents that are ocurring daily you can see how many are losing, and no matter how lucky you may have been up to now, IT WILL TURN, and it may be tomorrow.

No Mind Reader

"The Man Behind Can't Read Your Mind-Signal."

This terse, punchy slogan is the suggestion for motorists to keep in mind during the all-year safety in traffic campaign.

Failure to give the required arm signals is a prolific cause of accidents on the highway. Motorists who do not keep in the proper lane when turning, or who give no signals at all are not only a menace to themselves, but to other drivers. Carelessly given signals also lead to accidents. The state law demands that a motorist indicate by a proper, continuous signal at least 50 feet in advance of where a turn is to be made.

Likewise, the man that dashes through the arterial highways without regard of the stop signs, is a menace to society and such violations should be met by revoking the driver's driving permit. Many of the fatalities that have occurred in the state have come through such violations. Motor vehicle operators should be taught that stop signs are posted to guard intersections and they should be given as much respect as if they were traffic policemen.

What Price Motoring?

What does an automobile tour of the eastern states cost?

Many motorists in Arizona have speculated on how big a dent would be placed in the pocketbook if a family motor tour were taken to the old home back east. Few persons keep an accurate count of cost so that information is somewhat difficult to obtain. Much depends on the country traversed, type of automobile used, class of hotels patronized, and the "incidentals" that are purchased.

What is believed to be a fairly accurate and representative average is found in a typical trip recently made from Los Angeles. This indicates a daily cost per person of $7.71. In this cost incidentals are included so that a more economical traveler doubtless could make some reduction.

Total time gone from Los Angeles on this trip, 45 days; actual traveling time, 30 days. Average mileage per day 303 miles, the entire trip being made during daylight driving. Exactly 700 gallons of gasoline were consumed, getting an average mileage of 13.1 miles per gallon. The total cost of trip, including gasoline, oil, accommodations, meals and incidentals was $1,041, or an average of $23.13 per day for the trip for each of the three travelers.