The Washington herald., 1922-10-15
1850 PERSONS
KILLED BY MOTOR
CARSDURINC 1921
Highway Education Body
Suggests Means to
Lessen Mishaps.

Aroused by the large number OF
accidents and fatalities attributed to
motor mishaps. scores of cities and
localities throughout the United
States during the past week observed
Seven Days of Safety" as part of
the Safety Season suggested by the
Highway Education Board.
According to the most reliable sta
tistics. the board says. at least 12.5o0
persons were killed in motor accidents
during 1921. while 100000 persons
received minor or major injuries dur
ing the same period. This death and
accident toll, says the board. can he
laid directly at the door OF careless
ness and ignorance 1t is in an effort
20 correct this situation that the
Safety Season." with its component
parts, is suggested.
Based on Census Data.
One Of the unfortunate features Is
the fact that accurate statistics OF the
number Of accidents and deaths can
not be had from all communities. The
boards estimate Is based on the best
figures obtainable from the Bureau
of Census.
In the observance OF the Safety
Season in New York city. one Of the
outstanding activities is Safety
Week" under tho direction OF the
Safety Institute of America. with
Judge Elbert II. Gary at the head Of
its public safety committee. In New
York the week was divided into spe-
cial days and virtually the same pro-
oedure was followed in other cities.
suRgestionx for safety
One Of the chief suggestions for the
observance OF the safety Season
and Safety Week" was that in each
city a Public Safety Executive Com
mittee be charged with the duty of
carrying on the other activities Of
the season" In this manner the
safety campaign in each locality was
thus intrusted to those who feel the
greatest concern and responsibility for
it. Among those suggested to serve on
these committees were representa-
tives from the police department.
schools. chambers of commerce. moth
ers' and women's clubs, city clubs.
civic organiza tons. Rotary clubs, XII
W diil' Ni"bS
Although the Safety Season" was
brought forward as A progressive idea
the board In its announcements en-
phasizes that the psychological
value OF stressing a principle during
a certain fixed period. such as a week,
should not be neglected"
Impressed Upon Children.
Two features of the Safety Season"
are the national safety essay contest
among children of elementary schools
on the subject My Share in Making
the Highways Safe" and the national
safety lesson contest among ele-
mentary school teachers, who are in
vited to submit practical safety les
sons teaching children safe behavior
on the highways. Announcements of
these contests are being made from
the office of the Highway Education
Board, Willard Building. Washing
ton, and from offices Of State SUPER
intendents of public instruction.
To stimulate interest $500 in prizes
are being offered. These consist Of
three national prizes to pupils. the
frs of which is a gold watch and
trip to Washington. In addition
AIS State prizes, medals and checks
are offered pupils. All prizes are
given by the National Automobile
Chamber of Commerce
Elementary school teachers who are
asked to submit safety lessons are
offered three national prizes. the first,
{ check for $500 and a trip to WASH
ington. Second and third awards are
sSot and 5000. respectively. The con-
tests are similar to those conducted
by the board in 1871. in which 400. 900
pupils and $4,000 teachers partici-
pated.