The broad ax., 1923-02-03
THE DEADLY AUTOMOBILE


The increased death toll from auto
mobile accidents in Chicago consti-
tutes one of the serious bad spots in
the city's death rate and should serve
to call attention to the public health
and accident situation not only as
exists in this city but throughout the
country generally.
Reported figures show that for the
FIST IL months Of 1922 there were
5l7 fatalities due to automobiles.
This was an average of AZ deaths per
month for the q Tiod named. Assum-
ing that this average was maintained
during the month of December, the
figures not yet being available, it
would mean total Of 564 deaths for
the year 1922 attributable to motor
driven vehicles. And what is true in
Chicago seems to be true generally
throughout the country. All available
statistical data tend to confirm the
steady and practically continuous rise
from year to year in the mortality
from this cause.
In spite Of the fact that safety first
campaigns have been inaugurated
from coast to coast this fearful and
unwarranted slaughter of human
lives by motor driven vehicles con-
tinues without abatement. A statis-
tician Of one of the leading insurance
companies furnishes the following in
teresting figures. In 1911 the deaths
due to automobile accidents to per
sons Of ages from As to 81 were 80
per 100000. In 1921 the deaths for
the same age group due to automo-
bile accidents were 200 per 100000.
These figures indicate in a general
way the steadily increasing death toll
from motor driven vehicles.
The deaths attributable to accidents,
excluding homicide and suicide, in
Chicago for the year 1922 totaled
1886. These figures do not include
IS other deaths still under investiga-
ton and which when finally deter
mined may be placed under this
heading.
The automobile as factor in the
mortality Of city like Chicago may
be better understood when the NOR
tality figures from other causes are
considered in connection Herewith.
For example, during the year 1922,
typhoid, smallpox, measles and scarlet
fever, all told, were responsible for
2oS deaths. Automobiles caused, as
has been stated, 517 deaths. Most
automobile accidents are preventable,
therefore, deaths due to automobile
accidents are preventable. The De
partment Of Health can and does iso-
late and quarantine cases Of scarlet
fever, smallpox or typhoid, and in this
way prevents the spread of these dis
eases. 1t, however, has no means, nor
has it the power to isolate and quar-
antine drivers of automobiles who by
reckless and careless driving imperil
not only their own safety but others
as well.
Health officials rightfully may Be
held responsible to degree, at least
for deaths due to polluted milk and
water supplies; or, in fact, for those
deaths from any Of the diseases that
are recognized as preventable and
amenable to sanitary administration
There are, however, notable excep-
tons. among which may be men
toned such diseases as chronic
nephritis and organic heart disease,
but even in these it is recognized that
competent medical advice is Of value
along preventive lines.
It would, however, seem to be in
cumbent on the Department Of
Health at least to call attention to
this frightfut increase in the mortality
figures from this particular cause; and