Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-26
DEATH TOLL OF AUTOS
PROMPTS WARNING TO
DRIVERS AND PARENTS
director Krusen Advises That
Children Be Kept Off Streets
and Proposes Severe Tests
for Chauffeurs
ANOTHER BOY STRUCK

Another name has been added to the
reoord list of those injured by automobiles
and motortrucks in this city, but day has
nassed without addition to the auto death
toli, The total now is 81 In Philadelphia
since January L.
In an effort to check the growing list
of auto deaths and accidents, Director
wilmer Krusen has issued a warning to
Reckless drivers and to parents against
letting children play in the streets, while
Coroner knight has advised drastic action
against cheap, Incompetent drivers of
notortrucks
Nneyear-old Martin shablskey. t4a
East street, Is suffering from scalp wounds
and lacerations at ST Timothy's Hospital
after being knocked down by an automo-
bile while playing last night at Ridge ave-
nue. and Laurlston street The car was
owned by James r. Sewell 310 Salignac
street, and was driven by his son william.
BOY HIT BY AUTO.
After the accident, the injured boy was
placed in the automobile and rushed to
the hospital. With a sigh of relief, the
sewells, both father and son. welcomed the
news that the boys injuries were not Sc
rIous. The younger Sewell surrendered to
Policeman Carrow. He will be arraigned
before Magistrate Price today.
Director Krusen, of the Department of
attention to the fact that 2S2 persons we're
killed by moving vehicles in this city last
year, death toll twice that of typhoid
fever and scarlet fever combined. He said:
During the first four months this year,
iO1 deaths already have been recorded,
with the greatest charge made against au-
tomobiles. While many accidents are due
TO reckless driving, by far the greater mum.
ber are due to thoughtlessness al d care
Iessness on the part of pedestrians when
crossing the streets.
children are frequent victims of acci-
dents by moving vehicles. 1t Is, therefore
the duty of parents to forbid them to play
In the streets and to caution them against
the dangerous practice of catching on be-
hind street cars, autotrucks, ice wagons or
Of holding on to moving vehicles while skat-
ing or cycling. They should be taught not
to cross the street in the middle of the
block, but only at the regular street cross
ings. This city might we'll adopt the use of
play streets where traffic is suspended
and where children may play to their
hearts content. especially in districts where
Fairgrounds are not provided.
PREPARES STRICT TESTS.
ut seems reasonable also that drivers
of motor vehicles should be required to
pass suitable physical examination, with
particular reference to their vision and
uedllHbs n tcCilllCdl examination 10 QA-
termine their proficiency in running a
vehicle is also In order This
should apply also to motorcyclsts, who by
their reckless and daring coasting between
and about other moving vehicles are re-
sponsible for many avodable accidents.
New Jersey has already adopted the plan
Of physical and technical examination of
drivers of motor-drlven vehicles to safe
guard the public from accidents.
DRIVERS will avoid many accidents by |
the speed at all street crossings |
They should abolish the practice of crossing |
the path of approaching street cars or of |
speeding past the automobile just ahead. |
the overturning of automo-
biles will be less frequent If competent |
drivers are at the wheels.
Particular caution should be observed |
1t railway crossings, where accidents often |
result from carelessness or failure on the |
part of drivers to heed warning gongs and |
Ehistles"