Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25
A New Year Resolution,


Today is Christmas and many
homes are frightened with the gifts
of the holidays. In many there is
rejoicing over new automobiles. In
those not so fortunate, there is re-
Jaioing over the old one that still
chooses" to run. Thoughts of the
New Year are rapidly approaching.
and with them the usual New Year
resolutions that at times prove diff
ticult to keep. The time seems pro-
ritious, therefore. for one Of those
resolutions to concern careful driv-
ing during the coming year.
Such resolution. if kept. would
prove not only source Of happi-
ness to the immediate family, but
10 the families of every ono, whether
those families are motorists or pc
destrians. Most resolutions carry, as
a rule, some personal or perhaps at
times selfish motives A resolution
for safe and sane driving in 1923
would carry none OF those ideas. 4
broader and more beneficial plan for
the interests Of all could not be
found. and surely is in keeping with
the spirit OF the season.
Motor accidents arc occurring dailv
III Washington and in all parts of
the country. The growth Of popula-
ton and the increase in the number
of machines on the streets is not the
only reason for accidents. 1t is not
altogether the number OF people and
automobiles that have increased ac-
eidents in many Of the large cities.
but the attitude Of the people them
selves. Santa Claus cannot change
this attitude, nor can he bring ces-
sation OF accidents as gift 10 hu
mainly. A proper resolution by in
dividuals could. and it is up to them
alone.
The National Capital ranks nine
teentfl among the cities with popu-
lations more than 100000 in the list
OF motor fatalities for the first 10
months OF 1927. according to the
statistics compiled by the National
Automobile Chamber of Commerce
OF New York City.
New York leads the list with So7.
and Chicago falls into second place
IN the mortality league with 500. |
Washington during this period is
credited with 65. just , behind Kan
sas City with oS.
Only ! cities out of the leading
70 show a decrease from the same
period OF 1926. These are Cleve-
land. ST. Louis. Boston and Buffalo. |
Washington alone remained the
same.
The first 20 leaders in fatalities
are as follows:
New York. 897; Chicago. 500; De-
troit, 5l3; Philadelphia, 27l; Los |
Angeles. 246: Cleveland. lS7; Pitts |
burgh. lo2: Baltimore. I42; St. Louis.
llo; San Francisco. III: Cincinnati. /
W: Milwaukee. l0S; Boston. 100;
Buffalo, los; Newark. l0+; Toledo. |
Oh; New Orleans. 20: Kansas CITY,
6S; Washington. %. and Akron, 81.
In report by the street traffic /
committee. Avian Macauiey of the
New York chamber saws, in part
Yielding 10 the scientific forces OF |
sensible regulation. better facilities
and education of the individual, the
traffic toll is beginning to recede.
Cities are achieving this result by |
getting al the root of the matter /
and looking upon traffic as the pub
hes transportation system, which |
must be handled with the recogni- |
ton OF the requirements OF the We
hicle. the roadbed and the operator.
Cities and the public have paid |
the penalty OF hit or miss approach |
10 tins subject, but the activities OF |
municipal and school authorities in |
the past two or three years are |
bringing favorable results. Preiimi- !
nary evidence seems 10 indicate that |
the total OF accidents for the entire |
country IN 1927 may run per cent |
higher than in 1926. though there !
still is chance for the entire coun- |
try TO effect a reduction. II seems |
likely, however. that the total for |
the 10 largest cities will show a bet |
ter record than for 1926. and this !
achievement can be chalked Up to a
sesentifc, businesslike meeting Of the |
situation
A city which is not reducing IL
accident record is not properly gov |
erned. No IFS and butts can prop
erly explain away such a situation
Jraffc can be administered with
much better efficiency and safety
than has been the case in the past
lew years. 1T is the task OF the
municipal government 10 get results
and u human life is not being ade.
quaiely protected. the authorities are
falling down on their jobs.
Much has been said indicating
that ~ the last analysis traffic diff i
enlt'es are due 10 the ina,ten,ion or
other defect Of the person who is
dfiving the vehicle. In so far as this
statement is true, there is good
ceal that can be done by way of
remedy. Law enforcement can d.a,
with the irresponsible citizen. but the
big problem does not lie with the
wilIfuI yiolstor. The number OF y,o.
!atiofs can be materially reduced bv
better signaling and by more zde-
quzte street facilities that will make
- easier for the individual to operate
his car without hazard.
Furthermore. psychologists and
pnysirizns are learning a great deal
about the promptness Of human re.
action 10 emergencies and are build
ing up various ieAis which will show,
an individual his abilities or defect,
- All operator. These tests do not
mean that certain persons should be
declared incompetent lthe number ol
fhesr - limited bm they indicate
WHAT cDrfettmns are needed in order
IL provide for different types Of on.
orators. For example. The Highway
FrAt@fch Board has found that Ger
tam shades oi rcd aud green are
frffeTable ~ order that so-called
f.'l"r -ol'nd p~Dple may more readily
detect the differences Facts abgu,
human resrtions ahtrb have t4.,,