The Washington times., 1924-12-31
NAT IOVAL CODE
ON TRAFFIC
PRESAGED
Safety Devices Discussed at
conference-To Mobilize
Sentiment
By JAMES A. BALLARD.


on Street and Highway Safety are
confident that the near future will
see the evolution of national traf-
fic code that will go far to Danish
the specter of tragedy and destruc-
ton from the streets and highways
Of the country.
Called at the instance Of Secretary
Of Commerce Hoover and because Of
an insistent demand from every Gle
ment Of the population that. some
thing be done to diminish the causes
Of street and highway accidents,
this conference was the first at
tempt on q national scale to formu-
late q safety program based on uni
formity of legislation, regulation
and control.
The conference proceeded on the
assumption that a code Of the road
can be worked through cooperation
and directed effort on the part OF
Government and State authorities,
city and municipal agencies, busi-
ness and railroad authorities, the
great and growing motoring public
as well as the average citizen whose
interests as a pedestrian figured
prominently in the deliberations OF
the conference.
Continue Safety Drive.
Before adjourning to meet q year
hence in Washington the conference
adopted a series of resolutions that
assures the continuation of the
safety drive" and a determined ef.
fort to mobilize public sentiment be-
hind the series of recommendations
embodied in the findings of the
conference. A joint committee was
appointed to continue the studies
already undertaken, while a public
relations committee was set up to
promote the program Of the con-
ference.
It is generally conceded that the
most important feature Of the de-
liberations of the conference was
the concentration Of public opinion
on the enormous loss Of life and
property destruction amounting to
way accidents each year. In the
last year this loss amounted to
$4,000 deaths, 67S,0O0 injured and q
property distinctions amounting to
something like $500, 100000. It was
brought out in this connection that
whereas the loss of life and prop
erty from other causes has been
steadily decreasing, the loss from
automobile accidents has almost
doubled in the past ten years.
Conference Proposals.
Rscona1 ndatiens.s % the eorfer
ence for greater safety were grouped
under three principal headings
First, proper facilities which, by
promoting a free and even flow OF
traffic, will reduces at the same
time the accident hazard and the
degree OF regulation required: sec
ond, q thoroughly considered and
effectively enforced system Of traf
fic regulation: third, q comprehen
Sive program of cooperative action
by all elements Of society to pro
mote proper facilities, effective reg
ulation and widespread education.
Special study Of brakes, mirror
designs and bumpers was embodied
in the final recommendations of the
conference. A study Of the use OF
bumpers as a safety device is tC
be undertaken in the near future
In this latter connection widespread
interest was evinced by delegates
to the conference In q demonstra
tion Of the Automatic Safety Fender
given in a side street adjoining the
United States Chamber Of Com
merce, by the National Safety
Tenders Corporation, Of Baltimore
Washington police were there to see
a man run down by q. car and 9
truck going at a speed Of eighteen
miles an hour Instead Of being
run over by the front wheels, the
victim" was lifted clear off the
road onto the safety fender.
How Device Works.
This device which Is attached
to the front hangers or chassis
Is so constructed as to open
quickly and drop a protecting wing
ana safety scoop, thereby prevent.
ing a pedestrian, when struck by
a vehicle so equipped, from being
seriously injured or killed by get
ting beneath the front wheels. II
also protects the car as does the
usual bumper in collision. The
device opens automatically upon
contact with an individual or may
be opened or closed by the driver.
The scoop has a rubber covered
| vAA~A O0SOAUC pttII O1 L1G
shock incident to contact.
Tests have demonstrated that the
oevice causes no difficulty, when
operating the vehicle in traffic, or
maneuvering 1t into any desired
position in places affordines but
iltie clearance. The safety fen.
Ger Is adapted for use. on all types
OF automatic vehicles-busses.
trucks and pleasure cars.
| The scope Of the recommenda.
tions to be promoted by the Pub
nc relations Committee of the
conference cover every phase of
sarety precautions from the care
necessary on the part of the aver.
age pedestrian to the enabling acts
mat State legislatures should PASS
~ order to promote uniform ac-
uon throughout the country alons.
designated lines. =
Teaching Safety In Schools.
The point was stressed that in
tne interest of uniformity, there
should be minimum Of restrictive
laws and >maximum Of effort to
enforce all traffic regulations and
ordinances. The delegates were
unanimous In the belief that SAFETY
edlcation must begin In the schools
and resolution was adopted which
would make education in n,hlic
safety an obligatory part OF the
curriculum in every school. This
work. 1t was recommended, Should
DC extended to normal schools. ooi.
leges and summer schools.
Some OF the other oltsta nSifnev 49,,
ciusions OF the gathering were: me
elimination as far as possible ~
dangerous grade crossings IN fhe
! constructions Of hini,,n.n -. - - J