Evening star., 1924-07-27

1.497 persons injured were occupying
vehicles.
The period between noon and mid
night seems to be that Of greatest
danger, while Lsople seem to be less
cautious, and there is no difference
in the figures on fatalities as to those
occurring between noon and pm.
and the latter hour and midnight.
seeming to indicate that the period of
darkness has no effect. OF the fatal
tiles occurring for the period of the
report there were ten between mid
night and 8 am: twenty Ave between
am. and noon: thirty -four Eetween
noon and pm, and thirty-four be-
tween pm. and midnight.
More Caution Needed.
Study of the figures as to the places
of accidents would seem to indicate
that they can on.S be lesseped when
both the pedestrians and the motor
lists take the necessary caution. The
accidents that occur outside of the
So-called congested zone might have
been prevented had both parties ap-
preached the crossings more eau
tiously. and particularly those where
1t is difficult to see a vehicle coming
along an intersecting street.
Last week there was a serious ac-
cident at Thirteenth and Girard
streets northwest. involving three
vehicles, two of which were turned
over and all badly damaged. How
ever by some lucky circumstance.
no one was injured. Even caution
in this case did not save one or the
cars. One of the vehicles was pro-
ceoding west on Girard and another
proceeding north on Thirteenth street
when they collided. the impact send
ing both cars into third which
had stopped to permit one of them
to pass.
Statements of witnesses at the
time varied as to which vehicle was
making the speed. but from the I'M
pact and the distance both cars were
thrown it would seem that both
were making fairly good time Who
ever was at fault, it was plainly evi-
dent that there was lack OF caution
and the failure of some one to OBJ
serve the right-of-way rule, to the
extent of cooperating In pulling
down tho accident record or the
District.
Police Assistance Needed.
The only matter which would seem
to correct these conditions would be
to have the police rigidly enforce the
right of way rule at street intersec-
tionS. and take any further steps
which would compel the people to
be cautious. Where collisions occur,
the fact could be impressed not only
on the offending party. but on OBJ
servers, by providing stiff fines. Such
a course. it is believed, would GER
tainly result in bringing strongly to
the minds of drivers the fact that
they must take time to be cautious.
Cutting down the death and casu-
atty list means getting the full CO.
operation of motorists and pede-
strians in the exercise of extreme
care a t all times, and not alone when
they are in the congested area ac-
cording to Inspector Headley. Very
few of the serious accidents occur
in the traffic zone, the greater per-
centage taking place at street inter
sections, and practically all attribut-
able to the lack of caution in ap-
preaching intersections and the fail
ure to strictly observe the right Of
way regulation.
Certain streets Of the city which
are used by through traffic, such as
Tenth street, and particularly Thir-
teenth and Sixteenth streets, which
bear q heavy load of traffic. should
be watched closely by motorists
crossing them. and were these thor
oughfares, and some others, placed
under the so-called arterial highway
system, giving the traffic moving
along them the right of way, and
requiring motorists crossing them tc
stop completely, and observe closely
when the highway is clear for cross.
ing, many serious accidents would
be prevented, But, before putting in
such system, there are many mat
terS to be worked out, such as the
placing of signs and the lighting of
these signs at night, SO that there
will be no valid excuse for a motor
iSt failing to comply.