New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-22
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS
The Secretary Of State Explains Their
Increase.

To the E1..or OF The Tribune.
Sir: Motor car accidents are an un-
fortunate phase OF the traffic problem,
and there is no hope that they can be en-
tireIy eliminated. Since 1910 their total
number has practically increased four
fold while the growth In population has
been but slight, and this alarming in
crease each year, which IS out Of all pro-
portion TO that Of the population Is DE-
plorably large
Although conditions elsewhere are not
altogether similar. New York City. on
the basis or either area or population,
compares most unfavorably In this respect
with other American and foreign cities,
despite the fact that the police control OF
its traffic is admittedly among the best in
the world
Highway statistics show that where
traffic is considerable, with a tendency 20
become congested. the danger increases
RAPIDLY. but decreases again gradually as
the congestion further increases. This
fact emphasizes the risk involved in
mixed traffic by the great variations in
the speed OF vehicles.
Lack OF. experience on the part OF
licensed drivers OF motor cars is unques-
tionably a source OF danger. On the
other hand inexcusable carelessness on
the part Of the pedestrian contributes
largely 10 the number OF accidents, and
the only hopes of Improvement lie. to a
great extent. in the better education and
experience Of both drivers and pedestrians
In the altered conditions of present day
traffic.
However in order that the matter may
be more carefully watched il is extremely
advisable that there should be compulsory
powers whereby all motor car accidents
resulting in injury should be reported 10
one authority, as is now required in Mas
sachusetts, under a penalty Of forfeiture
OF the motorists privilege.
The effect OF this law. Chapter $50. Laws
OF 1918, is apparent in the returns showing
the increased percentage in the number
OF persons killed. injured, and also the
accidents, and while the increase In the
number OF deaths resulting from motor
car accidents is somewhat greater than
the increase in motor cars registered,
which was % per cent, II is uncomfortable
as compared with the increase in injurie,
and in accidents. although the gain OF 81
per cent in deaths. 40 per cent In injuries
and 100 per cent in accidents is not ex-
actly a fair statement. for the reason
that this new law was in operation only
since May 22-that is. for about the last
six months during the last year.
t~i. Ia inf
effect there was big jump in the num-
Der Of accidents reported. and while many
are OF trivial character they all go 20
swell the total. For example. the num-
Der Of accidents reported in the month of
April totalled 1863 and in May 40; but in
June, the first full month after the law
became effective. tke number Jumped TO
727. against 2s7 the same month the year
before. and the largest number OF acct
reached a total Of $50. in August 80. in
June 10 and In November 4es.
OF the 1856 killed III were pedestrians,
IS occupants OF automobiles ~ motor
cycle riders, occupants OF carriages and
bicycle riders. OF the 1893 injured, 1.t75
were pedestrians. 18 occupants OF auto
mobiles 90 occupants OF carriages, 22l
motorcycle riders, 100 bicycle riders and q
streetcar passengers or the total o,o2s
accidents reported 1867 were automobile
and pedestrian. l.isl automobile and auto
mobile. 7H automobile and carriage. 2'2
automobile and bicycle. 24s automobile
and motorcycle. 3s5 automobile and troll
ley car. Coz automobile and post or pole
and 81 automobile and train.
The great bulk OF accidents happened
in the daytime. there being 5.sss In the
daylight hours and LIS at night A to-
tai OF 2.ls4 accidents happened in the city
streets and 2s62 on country roads. and