Arizona republican., 1921-03-27
FATALITIES SHOW
 STEADY DECLINE

WASHINGTON, March 26.- Auto mobile use is growing constantly safer. Official figures show a steady decline in the ratio of fatalities to the number of cars in operation. Automobile deaths per car were .0o25 in 1914, and have been reduced to .0013 in 1919. Figures for the year 1920 in Detroit and New York city show that the for mer city registered one less fatality due to automobiles than in 1919, and New York's toll was twenty one less than the 1919 mark.
 The reduction of 50 per cent in five years in the ratio of fatalities to the number of cars shows that the public is quickly adapting itself to the prob lems of congestion. and continued pro- greSs in motor safety is confidently looked for.
 Automobile manufacturers feel, how ever, that the actual numerical in- crease in car fatalities nationally pre- sents a situation which calls for fur ther strenuous effort in the minimiz- ing of hazard.
 More playgrounds. more safety edu- cation in the schools, uniform traffic rules, and regulations against over loading are among the measures which the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce will advocate with in creased vigor during the coming year. The N. A. c. c. in urging these causes plans to assist organizations already active in these lines, rather than to stimulate any independent campaigns.
 Fairgrounds are a leading feature in this safety program because 43 per cent of all automobile fatilities occur to children under fifteen years of age. The motor vehicle makers believe that the best and only just way to keep children off the street is to provide some more attractive place for them to play. The valuable practical results of playgrounds coupled with educa- ton are demonstrated in Detroits lowered fatality rate, as the fourth city is a leader in playground and safety activity.
 Assistance will be given by the N. A c. c. to the safety education work of the highway and highway transport education committee, and to other na- tiona1 bodies endeavoring to reduce hazard.
 varying rules of the road in different states wrich lead to the confusion of drivers in interstate traffic. The mo- tor vehicle conference committee, com posed of carmakers, dealers, owners and allied bodies, is urging a proposed uniform ehicle law before legisla- . lures this winter. This measure con- tains provisions which. if adopted by the states, will set standard code for driving and thereby enhance the safety of the interstate drivers.
 This law also would require that every vehicle must carry certain obli- gatory equipment, all of which is con ducive to the safety of the travelling public. This equipment consists o1 brakes in good working order, horns or other signaling devices. regulations concerning lamps and other safety specifications.
 Attempts will be made to educate the truck owner on the dangers o1 overloading. Legal restrictions or this are helpful, but evasion is so easy that the final appeal must be to tht user. Overlooking injures the trucl and shortens its life. Overlooking i: highly dangerous to the driver and tt pedestrians as the brakes of a vehicl, cannot function at 100 per cent wher the truck is carrying more than it: rated burden.
 The figures of fatalities show tha some gain is being made in the safety of motor transport when the increasing number of units is taken into consider ation. Moreover, it is believed tha through the measures suggested above constant improvement in safety can b. achieved.