Franklin Kreml, Director of the Accident Prevention Bureau, points out that when this system had the opportunity to do its work, it demonstrated very quickly the futility of old procedures. Struggling as they were to reduce the Evanston accident rate previous to 1928, the police then did not even know that there were approximately 40 percent more accidents than were recorded. This was verified by record statistics which showed that in 1928 with no accident prevention program the total number hit and run cases reported was 62, whereas in 1933 after five years of intensive campaigning, there was a total of 114 such cases reported. Plainly, the police were missing a large percent of the cases in their jurisdiction. The nature of the treatment depends upon the nature of the problem presented.
All activity is based upon accident experience recorded in reports and on the spot map.
For example, a series of traffic accidents in a particular location may indicate a need for correction by engineering methods. Investigators are detailed to make analysis by checking the speed of cars, observing traffic flow counts, studying lighting and road conditions. Accidents were occurring at an alarming rate, inflicting a death toll unmatched almost anywhere in the Middle West. There were seven fatalities in the brief period of six months, not to mention many serious injury cases. Kreml and his assistants made an engineering investigation.