New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-06
MOTOR CAR ACCIDENTS
SHOW GREAT INCREASE
Protective Measures Urgently
Needed, Says Secretary
of State.
THINKS DRIVING TO BLAME
Argues That Handlers of Cars,
Whether Chauffeurs or
Owners, Should Pass
Examination.

In notifying the local authorities OF the
alarming increase in the number of
motor car accidents, especially at this sea-
son of the year when automobile touring
&c at its height. Secretary of State Nit
cheu May declared yesterday that the
problem of automobile accidents has not
received sufficient attention in this state
The motor car he says, has not been
taken seriously, nor has it been accorded
sufficiently intelligent consideration in the
vay of adequately safeguarding its op-
Grafton upon the public highways with a
view Of preventing loss of life and prop
erty.
"The situation has become critical of
late" said Mr.. May. ''as these accidents
continue 10 increase rapidly. By their
very frequency they have come TO be re-
garded as inevitable happenings, and now
even the most distressing fail TO shock
rs In fact, it is only when one notes
this startling increase, particularly in
the summer months, when as many as
seyenty-five mishaps occur daily, that an
idea Of the situation can be gained"
The Secretary of State said that during
the last twelve years the motor vehicle
has developed with amazing swiftness,
especially in this state, where in 1901
there were less than one thousand regis
tered. while within the first three months
Of the current year the number equalled
that for the entire decade previous. up to
August. 1910. when the present law be-
came effective.
This tremendous growth" said Sec
rotary May, exceeding over 10000 at
the present time together with the thou
sands Of nonresident motor cars touring
our state, and the rapid increase in the
use of the commercial motor car, chiefly
ambulances. fire apparatus. trucks and
light delivery wagons. means that the
automobile has become an interviewer
factor everywhere in our daily activity,
both in business and pleasure, crowdlng
our city streets with swift, dangerous
and highly complex machine, capable OF
effecting great injury in the hands Of the
unsklled and reckless driver"
Continuing, the Secretary declared that
the cause of most automobile accidents is
not due 10 the machine itself. for as re-
CARDS the strength Of construction, mate
rails and safeguards, there is little left
TO be perfected, but rather with those
operating it, many Of whom do not thor
oughly understand the motor car, nor do
they fully realize it's speed, power and
resulting momentum.
Investigation has shown" declared Mr..
May, that the primary reason for accl-
dents has been careless and reckless drlv-
ing. involving a violation both Of the rules
Of the road and of common sense. Motor
lists frequently take desperate chances
when driving at a high rate of speed past
crossways, sharp curves. school houses
horse-drawn vehicles. trolley cars ana
over wet pavements and bridges.
Mr.. May said that the basis of safe
driving which will be considered by the
Commission on Uniform Automobile Laws
about to be created rests in the require
ment calling for an examination OF all
operators, both owners and drivers alike
similar 10 that conducted in France. Ger
many. England and many Of the Eastern
states. notably Massachusetts,, and that
even a superficial one is better than none.
Otherwise. freak laws, strong opposition
from fanatics and the growing misunder-
standing on the part of the public, viii
inevitably continue an increase in the
number Of accidents.
'If a locomotive engineer, whose pain
Of travel is confined TO tracks. should
happen to be other than a skilled driver
what a howl Of protest would naturally
arise" said Mr.. May. yet greater dan
gers lie in the unrestricted right OF way
OF a motor vehicle operator. AS for the
deliberately reckless driver, he is a serious
public menace and must be eliminated
By the strong arm method before he
causes injury TO others as well as 70
himself"
Mr. May believes that IT is all important
for the state and locality TO unite IN
Investigating accidents and complaints
and in cases where the evidence warrants
q permanent revocation OF the operators
license should promptly follow. The Sit
uaton demands intelligent cooperation
By everyone. particularly the reputable
ana law-abiding motorist, who should be
especially interested in suppressing the
reckless and incompetent drivers.