Evening star., 1921-03-06
use Of MOTOR GAR
GROWING SAFER
Ratio of Fatalities to Number
of Cars Cut to Half
Since 1914.

Automobile use is growing constant
ly safer Official figures show Il steady
decline in the ratio of fatalities to
the number of cars in operation. Au-
tomobile 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 former 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 so per cent in five
years in the ratio of fatalities to the
number of ears shows that tire puhlic
is quickly adapting Itself 10 tn" prob
lens 81 CCnl,cst on. and continued
progress in motor Sa:"ty s 'nndentiy
looked fox.
Automobile manufacturers fe"!. how
ever. that tn" actual numerical in
crease in Car fatalities nationally pre-
sents situation which calls for fur
Their strenuous effort in the mini miz
ing of hazard.
More Fairgrounds more safety edu-
cation in the schools, uniform traffic
rules and regulations against over
loading are among the measures
which the National Automobile Cham
ber of Commerce will advocate with
increased vigor during the coming
year. The y. a c. G.. in urging these
causes. plans to assist orga iGat ions
already active in these lines, rather
than TO stimulate any independent
campaigns
Children HIVE Right to Play.
Fairgrounds are a leading feature
in this safety program. because i3
per cent of all automobile fatalities
occur to children under fifteen years
of age. The motor vehicle makers be-
lievr that the best and only just way
to keep children off ;hr street is to
provide some NOR" attractive place
for them to play. The valuable praC-
tical results of pia.yCrounds. coupled
with education. are demonstrated in
Detroit's lowered fatality rate. as the
fourth city is a leader in playground
and safety activity.
Assistance will be given by the y.
a. G. c. to the safety education work
Of the highway and highway trans
port education committee. and to other
national bodies endeavoring to reduce
hazard.
Uniform Laws Needed.
Many accidents are caused by the
varying rules of the road in different
states. which leads to the confusi on
OF drivers in interstate traffic The
motor vehicle conference committee
composed of car makers. dealers. own
ers and allied bodies. is urging pro-
posed uniform vehicle law before
legislatures this winter. This measure
contains provisions which. if adonted
by the states. will Set a standard code
for driving and thereby enhance the
safety of the interstate drivers
This law also would require that
every vehicle must carry certain
obligatory equipment. all of which is
conducive to the safety of the travel
ing public. This equipment consists
Of brakes in good working order.
horns or other signaling devices. reg
ulations concerning lamps and other
safety specifications.
Attempts will BE- made TO educate
the truck owner on the dangers of
overlooking. Legal restrictions on this
are helpful, but evasion is so easv
that the final appeal must be to the
user. Overlooking Injuries the truck
and shortens its life. Overlooking is
highly dangerous to the driver and
TO pedestrians. as the brakes of a
vehicle cannot function at 100 per
cent when the truck is carrying more
than its rated burden