Evening star., 1928-02-19

I mainly respoSible Where only injured
are reported comparative figures for
the two areas are about $3.50.
There Is another angle thrown on
the situation with regard TO accidents
| in rural communities. where the ques-
ton of child drivers is taken up.
Proportion Appears High.
Explaining that the report cannot b"
used as the basis for any conclusions rs
to the relative safety OF men, women
and children as drivers because there IS
no comparable data as to the ratios Of
each operating vehicles. the !nvest!ga-
tors say this:
1T may be suggested. however, that
the so motor vehicle accidents occurring
to child operators out of total OF 4962
! seems disproportionately high. The
larger proportion of child operators in
the rural accidents t35 TO 50). too. is
noticeable. and is probably 10 be attrib-
uted TO the absence Of more liberal
regulations or laxity of en-
/ forcement." so far as licensing of opera
tors is concerned.
Accidents reach their peak in the late
Fall and In this connection Ii is noted
/ that this seasonal variation has become
more marked In recent years, as the
volume of traffic has increased and
weather conditions for driving grow
poorer. Saturday Is disclosed as the
day OH which most accidents occur. and
Sunday. unbelievably. as the day on
which there are fewest, taking the year
as whole. However. the accidents on
Sunday are by far the most deadly. as
! usually an entire family and perhaps a
friend or two figure In the casualty list
And when only that part Of the year
| from May 10 October. inclusive Is
studied. Sunday is found TO run second
IN number of accidents, and Saturday
Is a close second In fatalities
The daily accident toll reaches its
peak in late afternoon and carly eve
ming. after showing a steady climb from
the morning hours when crowds are
! bound Tor shop and Office.
Iaking up the question Of protection.
the investigators remark that "a casual
study OF embarrassing accidents makes
1t evident that no sort OF crossing pro-
lection can guarantee safety to GER
tain sorts OF people" but the l,unor
of this is tempered with the addenda,
nor even under particular combina-
| tions OF circumstances. to careful users
of the highways" O! course. unpro-
tccted crossings are the source OF the
most accidents.
Gate System Favored.
The most positive form of protec-
ton Is declared to be gates, operated
~ a watchman on the crossing or
III nearby tower. Next comes en-
! ployment OF Watchman who stands
ON the crossing: after that, In meas
sure OF efficacy. signals. then finally.
signs
Intermittent protection, however is
criticized By the survey as giving n false
sense OF security 10 those accustomed
/ 10 using the crossing where such form
Is provided
In the question of safeguards. it was
decided also that a clear view Of a
crossing should be had from distance
OF 100 feet this being considered the
minimum mark for safe visibility under
modern highway speeds.
summing ur. the report says,
There is real need for series Of
intensive studies Of individual grade
crossing accidents. as we'll as for more
complete and accurate reporting OF
grade crossing accident data IN general
The hazard at grade crossings in
rural areas is far more important than
has heretofore been reported or under
stood At least l6 per cent Of all
fatalities due 10 accidents on the rural
highways OF the country are at,rib-
utabie to the crossings Of the railroads
and highways at grade.
"A serious effort should be made 10
hasten the change OF thousands o.
crossings from the unprotected to The
protected class by the installation of
suitable warning devices and continued