Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-11
PLAY SITES URGED
FOR CHILD SAFETY
American Road Builders
Condemn "UnWarranted
Slaughter" by Autos.

A vigorous plea for the construction
of more public Fairgrounds in cities and
footpaths along country roads was
made today by the American Road
Builders Association.
THE unwarranted slaughter of chill
dren by motor cars and trucks is linked
closely with the general problem Of
safeguarding pedestrian traffic" stated
Charles M. Upham, secretary director
of the association. Statistics show
that 7,4Oo children of school age were
killed on the highways OF the united
States in 1927, and of these children
1858 were killed while at play IN the
streets. More than twice as many chill
dren between the ages OF and 10
years we're killed than OF any other
similar period of years.
Deplores Few Fairgrounds.
In discussing this problem Of child
safety Mr.. Upham states, There are
entirely too few Fairgrounds and recre-
alton centers, and children IN many
cities are forced to play in the streets.
Roller skating on highway pavementS
should be discouraged, as well as TO-
bogganing, coasting or shedding.
"Public school officials, parent-teacn-
or associations, churches, civic organl-
zations and parents, in particular. are
urged to promote the establishment or
public and private Fairgrounds IN
cities and towns, with view TO a1oro-
ing children a greater number OF safe
places where they can play"
more than 81 900 100000 mas al,
ready been invested in public parks ana
Fairgrounds, covering 100000 acres, sil
told. and more than S1O0,OOO.O0O Is pc
ing expended annually for their main-
more than $4,000 population have al
least one park or playground, but many
millions of children, especially In the
smaller, cities. do not have access 20
parks or Fairgrounds and all too ire
nuentlv 90 into the streets. THESE
children should be encouraged to play
upon vacant lots where possible. Iney
must be kept off the streets.
Causes of Accidents.
"Investication of highway accidents
In which children are the victims shows
that the principal causes are roller skat.
irO rlaving in the street, shedding ana
coastinE. stepping from behind passing
or parked automobiles or CrucKS vi III
front of backing ones, walking or run
ming in the highway, running around a
nassing street car. darting out from the
curb without observing traftic. hopping
on automobiles or trucks and similar
hits of recklessneSs. Most OF the accl-
dents occur during the school vacation
periods
"During the school year the accidents
occur principally on Saturdays. Chill
dren from 5 to 10 years OF age are the
most frequent victims The most dam
gerous period of the day Is from 4 to
$50 pm, when the children are more
likely to be in the streets and when
traffic congestion. due to the rush hours
is heaviest. The slaughter annually OF
approximately 1000 future citizens of
the United States by motor cars and
trucks on our highways can be prac-
tically eliminated through education
and the exercise of proper caution.
Regulation of pedestrian traffic along
with vehicular traffic is one remedy that
is beginning to receive serious attention
Formation of schoolboy patrols,
classroom instruction in the public. pa
rochial and private schools, posting of
safety bulletins and constant warning
from parents will go far to promote
caution among the children and mini
mize the number of child accidents.