The Washington times., 1914-01-10
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT RECORD.


of automobile accidents that occur in Washington
This city of broad streets and avenues, with rea
traffic congestion utterly unknown, with no section
in which there is any serious density of population
with general physical conditions highly favorable tc
the safest conditions the streets, should make nc
such record of traffic mishaps as it does.
The vast majority of automobile owners are
anxious to keep within the law to observe the right:
of other people Nobody seriously doubtful of this
But a small proportion of reckless drivers and in
consderate owners can do and have DONE in this city
"a great harm to the entire motoring community.
Take the matter of speed limits. Who is going
to keep his car within twelve-mile limit when he
knows that cars run at thirty and forty miles withou
interference? The bestntentioned man, the one
most willing and anxious TO obey the law in letter anc
spirit inevitably will find himself encouraged to tax
ing some liberties with it, when he observes that ap
parenty the law nothing in particular to rea
offenders. The man who would observe twelve
mile limitation willingly enough if il were generally
observed SEES as a-matter of fact that his neighboI
makes double that speed without interference. The
disposition is to speed up bit; and presently the
limitations are forgotten, and even the most careful
and the bestntentioned drivers travelling fast
that there is real danger in it.
The real responsibility for enforcement of the
traffic regulations is of course in the hands of the
police establishment. The record of accidents in,
voving automobiles certainly justihes inquiry to
the work of the force in this regard.
There is no doubt that proper attention TO en-
forcement of regulations has important effect on
the accident record A recent comparison Of con-
dtions in New York and Chicago most strikingly
demonstrated this Chicago has, within its highly
crowded loop district perhaps the most difficult and
dangerous traffic spot in any American city. II is
so dangerous, indeed that the authorities have been
compelled to take extraordinary precautions for the
protection of the swarmng public Its traffic manage
ment has been placed under the most rigid regua-
tion and in the hands of highly experienced officers
What is the result? Chicago'S yearly showing of
automobile accidents in proportion to population, to
number of vehicles, any other basis, IS found
to be insignificant compared to New York's!
There is plenty of the joy-riding disposition in
Chicago in any other town. but it be curbed if
the seriousness of conditions, and the vigor of the
administrations measures are properly impressed.
That is what Washington needs The traffic rules
have need to be brought closely to the attention
of people running An effective approach to the
pocketbook has been noted for good results in such
regard: Even more convincing is personal intro
duction, now and then, of some offender TO the
municipal jailer.
1t cannot be too earnestly urged that accidents
and fatalities result from the general loosening of re-
sponsibty. When the specific particular accident
comes it may be caused by motor that is running
under good control and within a reasonable speed
reckless driver may let out his machine and touch
forty-nIe rate time and again without unfortunate
results. Then he may have mishap when he is quite
within bounds But that does not excuse the ofense
of iS that
rules and regulations the beginning of demoraliza-
ton. 1t is the thing that ultimately is responsible for
the diSgracefully large number of bad mishaps in
this town. The only remedy is enforcement of these
regulations. in the strictest possible fashion.
Smoking cars, standing in the streets, or dripping
oil on the pavemens are tolerated here they would
hardly be in any other city. That represents just
phase of the careesSness that marks enforcement of
traffic regulations.
Cutting out the muffer is an offense against
good manners, and also against good methods il
driving, that is altogether too freely indulgeI.
Whether the muffer cut-out is regarded as means
10 increasing the power or as an easy way to keep
perpetual alarm sounding, it is offense against tine
decencies of the road and there is no justification
for it.
All these regulations ought to be enforced up 20
ne handle. They ought to be enforced for disctp-
linary reasons. Teaching soldier to keep his SHOES
shined all the time may not look like much of prer
araton for fighting battles; but experience proves
that just that sort of discipline does make better
soldiers when the fighting is faced. Likewise, the
enforcement of rigorous, up-to-thehandle discipline
in the matter of traffic rules and would 90
farther than anything else to protect the public from
running amuck motor-wise.
French Highway Accidents.