Evening star., 1925-08-16
MOTOR TRAFFIC PROBLEM
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

parade who noted that all the troops
but her son were out of step.
The boulevard system is another in
Nention OF the modern traffic director.
Under this system certain streets are
designated as boulevards and every
car approaching from cross street
must come TO complete stop and
await the change of ira ffic. This en-
ables greater speed on the boulevard.
moves traff1c out of congestion more
rapidly and lessons crossing accidents.
The traffic cop is a modern as the
motor age. Not so long ago no one
had heard of such an officer II he is
a good one he helps, but il Is the ex.
perience Of traffic directors that an un.
skilled traffic cop can cause more con-
gestion than he relieves
Designs painted on streets. signs of
all sorts, speed limits and parking
rules are all developments brought
about by the new order.
Motor Fatalities Decrease.
II appears that these devices are
helping To cut down motor fatalities.
The peak has passed and, although the
use OF motor cars by the general pub.
lie is on the increase, fatal accidents
show a decrease.
The ratio of fatalities to the number
&.
BY 1920 this figure had dropped to IIg;
in 1927 it was lis; in 1922 it was lI2:
in 1923, l09, and in 1924 only IS.
This radio figure refers to the num-
her of fatal motor ear accidents out
of every 10000 registered automo-
hiles
Grade crossing accidents also have
passed their peak, due to the work
of both the railroads and the traffic
directors. In 1920 there We're 1871
fatalities; in 1921, there Were 1,705:
in 1922, this had risen to 1910, and
in 1928 1t reached a peak of e.26S.
This was year of intensive cam
paigns preaching caution and safety
and in 1924 the number had fallen
to 2,149
Punishments for reckless driving
are becoming more severe and this
may. perhaps. have something to do
with the Improvements noted Per-
haps the most curious new expedient
OF the authorities To impress upon
drivers the crime they have com
mitted in killing pedestrians or others
has been adopted, according TO re-
ports, by the India apolis authorities.
The guilty driver will be compelled
10 spend an hour in the moreue with
ms victim This grim ordinance is
oiiibSt certain TO ne held unla Wfnl,
as ii transgresses the constitutions
prohibition against cruel and unusual
punishmentS
Heavier Penalties.
There is an increasing tendency to
impose heavier sentences on reckless
motorists and To give more-actupl
prison sentences instead of fines. The
story Is told of one gilded youth who
mad a passion for speeding. He was
repeatedly arrested and fined. After
many such experiences he asked the
judge before whom he was brouebt
IT he might-not be permitted to leave
blank signed check with the court
so the authorities could fill IL out
anu save him a trip. This Ia the
sort of driver the judges are now
putting in Jail
One other interested party to this
motor problem who might be men
toned is the automobile manufao-
turer himself. III traffic becomes SO
congested that cars are of less uss
ana IL pedestrian prejudice grows tc
point where the automobile is re-
Ra arded as distinct menace rather
than great and useful invention
the motor manufa cturer may find
himself confronted with wanina
business.
With all these forces at work on
the problem ii would appear tina
sone progress will be made in reach
ing solution.