Evening star., 1923-01-30
Washington an Unsafe City.

"A lltlle more tndn elgnt weeks ago
Washington concluded Safety
week" that was supposed to have
aroused the entire city to the dangers
of traffic and the need of the greatest
everybody, drivers, walkers, motor
men. Vivid demonstrations Of the
consequences of carelessness We're af-
forded. A parade brought distinctly
to the minds of all who beheld it the
tragedies due to indifference to rules.
The city was placarded from end to
end with admonitions. The very side
walks and pavements were painted
with reminders. The newspapers car
ried great displays of text and pictures
aspects the lesson Of safety. Probably
every Washingtonian was during that
week impressed deeply With the
thought of safety first"
For a little while the lesson seemed
to have been learned. Accidents were
rare during the days Immediately fol-
lowing. Then they began to increase,
and now, a little over eight weeks
from the close OF the campaign, the
record stands at sixteen traffic deaths
in this city, double the number Of a
corresponding period year ago.
Sixteen persons have lost their lives
in the streets of the capital in eight
weeks, Two a week have been killed
by motor cars or street cars. Other
cities may take heavier toll in life,
larger cities. more crowded, with mar
rover streets and heavier traffic. That
is because there are more people and
more vehicles. But it should be noted
at this point that recently it was
nual increase in the number OF motor
cars in use has been greatest in per-
centage Of all cities in this country,
and that in proportion to population
it is the most heavily motored city.
What conclusion is to be drawn? Is
it that Washington is the most care
less city in the United States, both in
the matter of driving and in the mat
ter of walking? Or is it the most poor.
ly lighted city. so that drivers have
the poorest chance to protect them
selves and pedestrians at night? Or is
it that there are too many motor
vehicles in use?
A view Of the city's streets any
week day suggests the answer to the
last question. Machines are parked
all day in long lines, miles in extent
in the aggregate. They are driven
down in the morning, parked for hours
and driven home in the afternoon.
They are in motion simultaneously
during the morning and afternoon
hours. They congest the streets while
active and while inactive.
A survey of the streets at night
leads to the conclusion that they are
not sufficiently lighted. Save in the
business district there is no such H.
Elimination that drivers can see pedes.
trians until they are almost under the
tenders Of the machines. On stormy
nights the driver is compelled to pro-
ceed at even less than the regulation
pace to be absolutely sure Of safety.
A safety council is at work studying
this problem. seeking means Of cor
recting the evils from which Washing
ton is so obviously suffering. More
severe punishments for careless driv-
ing, better security for pedestrians at
crossings, better lighting for the bene-
At Of ell, perhaps some stringency in
the granting Of licenses, to lessen the
number of cars that are not actually
needed for practical uses-these RENE.
dies are to be considered. Certainly
something must be done to rescue
Washington from this growing evil.