Evening star., 1920-04-04
MATERIAL PILED IN STREETS
ENDANGERS MOTOR TRAFFIC
Bricks and Lumber Near Construction
Work Obstruct View of Intersectine
Streets-Accidents Increased In 1918.

Numerous complaints are being reg
1stered daily by local motorists
against the practice of some builders
in pi1ing materials along sidewalks
and streets adjoining structures in
the course Of construction. it being
claimed that at many street intersec-
tions where these conditions prevail
the view of the automobile driver go
ing In one direction is completely OBJ
structed from vehicles approaching
on the intersecting street. thereby
greatly increasing the chances Of an
accident.
An accompanying picture shows how
building material accumulates near
buildings being erected.
Regulation ON Piling Material.
Aside from instructions issued by
the inspector Of buildings when per-
mits to build are granted, there is no
specific regulation affecting such condi-
tions In the rules governing the erec-
tion. removal, repair and maintenance
the greatest precaution should be taken
to prevent such obstructions and is most
essential for the betterment of traffic
conditions in the city.
Statistics Show Deaths Here.
When 1t is recalled that the deaths
from automobile accidents in the city
OF Washington increased from 33 in
1916 for the entire year to 73 for the
year ended June 80. 1918. or for the
six months ending December 81, 1918,
at the rate of 50 deaths a year. too
much care cannot be given to every
obstacle that stands in the way of
Nzyh<,
traffic laws of the District.
In a statement recently issued by
the highway transport committee of
the United States Council of National
Defense figures comparing deaths by
automobile accidents in this city and
New York are given, and in comment
ing on the situation the report says:
1t il Impossible to trace every traf-
fic accident that eventually results in
death. For this reason it is impossible
any city by traffic accidents. The
most accurate reports we have to go
by are probably those of the police
In Washington. for the year end
ing June 80. 1916. there were 80
IN washington. for the year end
ing June 80. 1917. there were So
In washington. for the year end
ing June 80. 1913. there were 73
In Washington. for the six months
ending December 81. 1918, at the rate
Of 81 deaths per year.
In New York city. for the year
1915 there were $50 deaths.
In New York city. for the year
1916 there were GA deaths.
In New York city, for the year
1917 there were IA deaths.
In New York city, for the year
ending 1913 there were 679 deaths"
Figures Tell % Increase.
While the foreg- Ig figures show
yearly increase In traffic deaths for
Washington, the New York figures
have run fairly even. The New York
rate would undoubtedly have been
cut very much, says the highway
transport committee. had the city
persevered in an educational cam
paign, thereby making traffic regu-
lation automatic, instead of adopting
an enforcement campaign by the po-
lice. Education costs but fraction
OF enforcement and brings about in
f1nitely greater results.
The deaths in New York city from
traffic accidents in 1918 numbered 679.
six months ending December 81, 1%1 s,
was at the rate of 81 a year. On
the basis of 1885, 900 people in wash-
fngton and 100000 in New York.
there should have been only AS
deaths in Washington from traffic
accidents in 1913, instead of S2,, to
keep the rate the same as In New
York.
1t is interesting to know thai IL
the rate from traffic accidents in
Washington were extended through
out the United States 21.2zl people
whereas if the New York rate were