Evening star., 1927-04-17
BY w. J, yOSS.

Reassuring and ominous notes are
struck in the latest compilation Of
data on District of Columbia traffic
accidents. Despite an increase in the
number of fatalities, officials believe
that there are definite indications
of improvement generally denoting
greater caution on the part OF the
whole body of motorists.
While the unfortunate augmenta-
ton of the fatality list casts a shadow
upon the motoring record Of Wash
ington, it is believed that on the
whole definite advancement is being
made by motorists themselves, despite
the fact that the small and lawless
minority goes thoughtlessly on its
way to destruction.
The total of traffic accidents of all
kinds, involving serious mishaps in
which personal injury or death re-
I.sulted as well as many which did
but slight damage to one or more
cars, was 1921 for the first three
months of this year. For the first
quarter of 1926, the number totaled
$50 Thus the 1927 records show
falling off of more than 10 per cent,
! or decrease of about 100 accidents
a month.
Fatalities Increased.
On the other hand, fatalities in
creased from 19 during the first
| quarter of last year TO % from Jan
uary ! to March 81 this year. OF
| these traffic deaths, IS were caused
| to pedestrians last year, while all
recorded during the first part Of the
| present twelvemonth were among the
non-motoring class. Non-fatal aCci-
| dents to pedestrians totaled 1926 for
I no a n
| spending period just ended.
The causes Of accidents as compiled
| in the latest statistics reveal some in
| teresting sidelights on the factors
| playing the most important parts in
| the traffic toll. Speed, for instance,
/ is shown in a rather respectable
! light. Whereas many an off-hand COM
mentator points to speed as the fore
gone basis of traffic mishaps, the
| figures point to quite a different con-
| clusion. OF the whole number of acct
| dents-1 .596 in the 1926 quarter and
| I ,291 for the last three months--but
s In 1926 and this year were
| caused by excessive speed. Such
| causes as cutting in and defective
brakes or steering gear were respon-
| sible for more accidents
| Recklessness rather than speed.
| officials show, is responsible for
| traffic dangers and they point to the
| figures 'to. bear out the statement.
| There were 95 accidents in the first
| quarter of 1926 and 113 during the
| last three months which were
ascribed to reckles driving. Another
cause which is inherent in driving
practices was that of driving care
lessly. This was responsible for So
mishaps in 1926 and 81 in the same
quarter of this. year. Failing to give
| the right-ofway also caused 81 acct
dents so far this year.
Passing Mishaps Few.
| OF particular interest in view OF
discussion of the proposal to amend
| the District traffic regulations so as
! to permit overtaking and passing a
car on either side instead of only on
the left as at present, is the record
of accidents of which right-hand pass
| ing is the cause.
Passing on the wrong side, or right
hand passing, was the cause of only
, six accidents in the first quarter OF
| last year and of only three mishaps
| so far this year. Proponents of the
change point to the significance of
| this portion of the statistics as being
| especially significant in view of the
| protests that many accidents win be
occasioned by right-hand passing.
| 1t Is true that there, is compara-
lively little right-hand passing at
present, but 1t is equally true that
! there is a considerable amount of ii
being done despite it's violation of the
regulations. Those who favor its
legalization point out that there is
! enough of 1t being done Illegally to