An 85-year-old Los Angeles man with a perfect driving record that stretches back to the turn of the century has some simple advice for motorists who want to avoid accidents.

"Always give the other fellow the right-of-way," says John L. Harrigan. "Stay out of the way of all the nuts on the road who are in a big hurry."

Harrigan, a retired auto dealer who helped build and test some of America's first cars in the early 1900's, has followed his own advice for seven decades. He has never had an accident. Or a traffic citation.

All of which is okay with FFA.

Harrigan has been a Fireman's Fund insured since 1911 and his record is the best in our files. In the 59 years he has held a policy with the company, he has filed just three minor claims totaling $28.40. These were for thefts of hubcaps and a cigarette lighter from his cars.

Mrs. Harrigan shares equally in the accomplishment. She also has a perfect driving record, unblemished by battered bumpers and fractured fenders.

"I've never been able to complain to my wife about her driving like so many husbands do," Harrigan says. "In fact, she does most of the driving for us now."

Harrigan's safety values - which would probably be called "defensive driving" now - were instilled in him as a young man when he road-tested such long extinct automobiles as the Thomas Flyer and Selden Racer in Buffalo, New York.

"Every journey was an adventure then," he recalls. "Still, I think even taking part in auto races in those days was probably safer than driving on some of our freeways now. I'd like to stop some of these drivers and ask them, 'What's the use of being in such a hurry?'"

Harrigan came to Los Angeles in 1911 and became associated with the automobile agency of Paul Gray Hoffman, who later was president of the Studebaker Company and now holds a key position with the United Nations.

The first car he insured with Fireman's Fund was a 1911 Studebaker. Over the years, Harrigan usually had two to four cars covered by the policy. Now he is down to only one - a 1964 Buick.

[Fireman's Fund Archives: 4-1-3-5-31;1335]