Sometime when you are out on a long trip in the car, make a point of seeing how many devices have been invented to promote safety in driving. You will find scores of examples. The fences that border the road closely, as well as trees and large rocks near the highway, are usually painted white. No doubt you have guessed that this is to make night driving safer. In some states you will find reflector buttons placed along sharp curves and on objects near the road so that they can readily be seen when your lights shine upon them. Experiments are now being made with extensive highway lighting to make the roads even more safe at night. Low-cost electric bulbs have been made so that lighting can be done cheaply. It is estimated that accidents could be reduced approximately 35 per cent if adequate lighting were provided for hard-surfaced roads.

A good driver approaches the top of a hill cautiously, for there is no telling what may be on the other side.

Modern road building is a fascinating study. You will notice that the new roads have many features provided for safety's sake. Sharp curves are eliminated. Where curves are necessary, they are banked or slanted in such a way that the danger of tipping over is greatly reduced. Furthermore, center and side lines are painted along many roads to help the motorist to keep on the road at night. In many cases four lanes of traffic are being built, with parking space in the center. This arrangement makes it unnecessary to pass other cars by going into the opposite lane of traffic.

Other aids to motorists are also provided, such as signs along the road giving directions, road numbers, and highway signs designed to warn about curves and dangerous crossroads. Usually these signs have been placed with great care and constructed in such a way that they can be seen easily. Obviously they are of no value to the motorist unless he believes in them and heeds the warning they give. Believe in signs and you will get where you are going.

All of these aids to the motorist, of course, cost money. They are paid for from the taxes collected on gasoline sales, automobile registration, and so forth. Do you know how much money in your state goes to road building each year? Do you know from where the money comes?

It is difficult for a driver to see a pedestrian on the highway at night. If you are hiking after dark, keep off the road if you can. If you must walk on the road, carry a large white handkerchief or scarf, or wear light-colored clothing, and keep to the left.

Pedestrians

Crossing a street has become almost an adventure in itself these days. Therefore new methods to protect pedestrians have become a vital need. Some say that bridges should be built over the main streets and highways; others suggest tunnels. It has been our happy lot to use traffic lights up to the present, and they really aid in crossing, provided you are intelligent enough to use them properly. For other suggestions for walking along highways, see pages 66-67.