Crash-prevention technologies keep evolving, from automatic emergency braking to blind spot detection, but many drivers believe in a different kind of power _ St. Christopher _ to keep them safe on the roads.
With crashes killing about 35,200 people in 2015 and injuring tens of thousands more, according to the National Safety Council, an untold number of drivers in this country and elsewhere in the world wouldn't think of getting behind the wheel without a medallion, visor clip, keychain or other item bearing Christopher's image. Some are true believers in his protective powers; others just don't want to take any chances. Countless more simply appreciate the often-exquisite renderings of the patron saint of travelers, almost always depicted with a child perched on his shoulder, in cloisonne, gold plate, silver or other metals.
Actor Clark Gable had a medallion, personalized with his initials, on the glovebox in his 1957 Mercedes. Jacques Vaucher, owner of l'art et l'automobile, an automotive art gallery and auction house in Harper, Texas, is the third generation of his family to put the image in their race cars as well as their street cars. And Dannielle Schmidt, of Costa Mesa, Calif., would put badges in the vintage Porsches she and her husband own _ if he'd let her make screw holes in the dashboards.
