December 9, 1951
By BOB CHAPMAN
Mrs. W.V. Coffman, 2819 Porter Avenue, who thought she was being stopped to be handed a ticket for a traffic violation, can boast the distinction of being the first El Pasoan to be awarded a courteous driving sticker by El Paso district office of the American Automobile Association.
Hereafter, this blue and gold courteous driving award sticker, which goes on the windshield, will be given every week to the driver who qualifies.
The project, known as “The Driver of the Week,” is being sponsored by the city Council of the P-TA, in co-operation with the Jaycees and Police Department. It is in line with the year-round safety campaign launched by the Jaycees.
Starting out to find the first courteous driver, Police Sgt. Hugh Bonds and Jerry Steiner, El Paso AAA district manager, sighted Mrs. Coffman driving on Piedras Street. They followed her east to Cebada Street, then north on the street to Douglas Street, where Sergeant Bonds drove up along side and told Mrs. Coffman to pull in to the curbing.
“My goodness, what have I done wrong?” she asked the sergeant.
“Not a thing ma’m,” Sergeant Bonds replied, much to her relief. “You are entitled to a courtesy driving sticker and we want to give it to you.”
Sergeant Bonds reported that Mrs. Coffman had been driving a car for 30 years, had never been involved in an accident and had never been handed a ticket for a traffic violation.
“On this occasion when we followed her, Mrs. Coffman kept within the legal speed limits and gave all hand-signals required by law,” Sergeant Bonds said. “Considering the cold weather, all this was an exceptional demonstration of courteous and careful driving
Comments