Emergencies In The Making (2nd Ed, 1969)

why don't we learn to look out for the little things that cause us so much [Music] pain why do we do these things out of stupid what you please [Music] explain why oh why can't more of us [Music] try why oh and more of us Dr life is full for the living and many are joys for you to share but living in the joys of cold and Hollow for someone if you're not there why oh why can't four of us try the continent upon which we live is a big one hundreds of thousands of miles of roads and highways take us anywhere we want to go road signs often in a language other than our own point the [Music] way we [Music] most of us live out our lives here on this continent how we do it varies depending on our culture where we live and on our way of life [Music] our interests and tastes differ [Music] too yet with all our differences we are for the most part A people with many things in common for one thing we're always on the move a people who get where we're going and back on Wheels and usually by car dear that is unless something goes wrong as a people we like our cars and shop for one or more periodically most of us are proud of the cars we own and as a rule most of us take care of them good care of them and yet all too often many of our cars end up looking like this or this [Music] or this because some of us didn't look out for the little things senseless silly little [Music] we have an ambulance crew preparing to remove the injured and send me a crane [Music] [Music] no matter where we travel in this automobile oriented world we live in there's only one sure way to avoid an emergency we must learn to think not only of the present moment but things ahead we must learn to always expect the unexpected most of us have learned to think about the big obvious dangers in driving and yet who hasn't watched something like this take [Music] place most of us expect danger here even these people do they know speed is a major factor in traffic deaths what they haven't counted on is the [Music] unexpected most of us know better and therefore drive at more reasonable speeds stopping where necessary we observe traffic signs and the more obvious regulations but sometimes Overlook the little [Music] we have learned that passing on a hill is dangerous and most of us never do it yet how often have you seen someone take this [Music] chance the same is true when taking a chance passing on a curve [Music] [Music] be on your guard when driving in an outside Lane at multiple turn intersections even though this red car is in a turn lane only the driver may decide to go straight ahead [Music] whenever the view ahead is blocked expect an emergency train yourself to expect the unexpected not only from cars but from pedestrians too most emergencies in the making fall into one of five groups let's call the first the other guy the other guy comes in all s sizes and shapes and can be of either sex normally the other guy comes equipped with two ears and a head in between but who can really tell what's going on inside that head all you can do is watch for Clues take for example the other guy in the red car ahead it's apparent he's weaving in front of you but what does it mean well it might mean the other guy is drunk on the other hand that he's falling asleep then again maybe he's ill still the weaving might merely indicate the other guy is a stranger in the area and is busy looking for house numbers [Music] could be maybe he's looking at a map as he drives or being human maybe he's taking in the [Music] sights whether driving a car or a motorcycle be on your guard for someone possibly making a button hook turn when the light turns green and your trap behind a vehicle that doesn't move don't be [Music] impatient there may be a [Applause] reason here's another cause of [Music] accident the fellow who slows down sharply to make his [Music] exit the culprit is as he moves off the ramp isn't even aware of the emergency he [Music] created pedestrians often run great risks especially elderly [Music] people their walking habits were formed in days when traffic was light [Music] even when Crossing with The Pedestrian Crossing light an elderly person may not make it to the other side before the light [Music] changes wait until they [Music] cross pedestrians often get bewildered when trapped in heavy [Music] traffic if this man you see trapped here had pushed the button controlling this traffic light he would have had a sufficiently long walk light as much as twice the length of the interval when the lights run automatically [Music] the second group you should watch out for we'll call kids they too come in all sizes and shapes as any parent will tell you a million dollars couldn't buy one yet a few seconds of carelessness could have cost this child her [Music] life chicken wherever you see kids be on your guard they're unpredictable they normally don't think about Danger [Music] their thoughts are only on their game be especially alert when passing parked cars or [Music] obstructions it's up to you the driver to avoid an emergency in the making and remember when a kid's after some ice cream he's not going to think about [Music] [Applause] cars when driving anywhere near kids on bikes be careful most kids weave a kid on a bike too big for him usually has trouble handling it always watch out for kids showing [Music] off as for the third group of emergencies in the making let's call them Road conditions when it begins to rain for example most of us turn on the wiper blades and continue on our [Music] way few of us really realize how dangerous the first few minutes of rain can be for a driver good drivers do and always slow down when the rain begins they know that the dust of ground up Rubber and oil drippings from countless cars when mixed with the rain can make a road slick always slow down when it begins to rain the first few minutes are the most dangerous after it has rained for a while the rubber dust and the oil are washed away play it safe do what the driver of this car is doing keep speed down until you're sure of road conditions always keep in mind road conditions can vary for any number of reasons pay particular attention to construction areas dirt deposited on roadways can cause problems [Music] too with a little rain dirt will turn into mud increasing the chances of es skape also be careful of roads with loose gravel or sand the fourth group contributing to Emer Mercies in the making let's call Mother Nature winter weather with its snow and ice present all kinds of problems to motorists even before they get in their cars anyone accustomed to snow and ice knows he has to drive slowly and cautiously to increase visibility make certain you have an efficient defroster and good wiper blades always clean your blades before driving on cool or damp mornings when your windshield is likely to fog up start your defroster before you drive [Music] off otherwise the entire windshield might fog up instantly when you flip on the defroster for increased traction drive with snow tires are chained in many areas it is mandatory when snow emergency plans are in [Music] effect chains are easier than most people realize to install [Music] now now was that so difficult to do Drive slowly on hardpacked snow or ice hazards increase greatly with [Music] speed even with snow tires or chains stopping distances must be increased drive very slowly [Music] expect the unexpected and the unexpected will never materialize even in good weather Mother Nature can be a contributing factor in a potential emergency remember speed should always go down with the sun the sun shining directly in your eyes may blind you as it sets use your sun visors to block the Sun [Music] visibility decreases at night avoid sunglasses after dusk never overdrive your [Music] headlights you never know what may be beyond the range of your headlights so be prepared to stop [Music] never look directly into oncoming headlights instead focus on the side of the road such as on a sideline [Music] marking if one light is all you see in the approaching Lane pull to the right as far as possible it could be a motorcycle but it's more likely to be a car with a malfunctioning headlight never drive with a dirty windshield especially at [Music] night smoking can cause driving problems too it may cause a film to form on the inside of the windshield decreasing your ability to see at night [Music] as for the fifth group contributing to emergencies in the making let's call it us that's right you and me there are things each of us do or don't do that can get us or some other person in trouble always check behind the car before starting a [Music] never permit a child to stand in the front seat of a moving car many a devoted mother who wouldn't think of neglecting her child in other ways risks the child's life every day here's another situation only you can control never apply brakes on a curve if you do you may skip [Music] instead When approaching the curve apply your brakes before you reach the curve if you do you'll round the curve safely without skid or side [Music] sway wherever you drive whether it's for business or pleasure keep in mind that emergencies are always in the making remember the five groups making up an emergency only you can keep them from turning into [Music] accidents drive carefully and regardless of what side of the Border you drive on avoid emergencies in the making enjoy this big beautiful continent on which you live why don't we look out for the little thing that causes pain why do we do these things that are stupid won't you explain why oh why can't more of us [Music] try why oh why and four of us [Music] try why oh why and more of us try by