Evening star., 1928-10-21

knowledge of the physical conditions
that are conducive to street and high
way traffic accidents, if possessed and
exercised by the Nations 23,0o0,O0O car
owners, would have tremendously i'm
portant bearing upon the reduction Of
such mishaps, in the opinion of Rudolph
Jose, local motor car dealer and veteran
motorist.
Acquainted with these physical fac
tors, he says, the motorist would
recognize the presence of one or group
of them the instant of appearance and
govern his actions accordingly.
Causes of Accidents.
Citing and placing exact values upon
each of the primary physical causes of
accidents, Mr.. Jose set forth that:
Bad weather conditions, fog, snow,
or rain, cause 81 per cent Of those
fatal mishaps which are directly
attributable to physical causes. Now.
II each motoriSt were to realize i'm
mediately that the presence of one of
these three weather conditions perfectly
set the stage for real danger. he would
temper his driving accordingly. It
should be apparent that an attempt to
drive in the fashion to which one Is
accustomed in good weather Is little
short of foolhardy. Accident statistics,
however, reveal that many commit this
obvious blunder with tragic results"
Defective Mechanism Fatal.
Next in fatal Importance among the
physical factors in mishaps, he says,
Is the defest in the vehicle itself. Nine
teen per cent of the accidents thus
created are traceable to this one cause,
it is pointed out.
i. This figure should give every driver
a clear insight into the absolute neces-
sity of keeping his car in the best
of cond>Sion, Mr. Jose is convinced.
"SS is impossible" he declares, Ito
escape the conclusion that the cause
for defects in the safety equipment Of
an automobile lies in the owners at
titude. He cannot absolutely prevent
wear Of moving mechanism, but he
can have it remedied at once. The
fact that thousands of fatal and serious
accidents are laid at the door of poor
brakes, defective steering, and the like
should dictate the imperative neces-
Sity of keeping the car in perfect con-
dition. Various efforts, of different de-
grees of success, have been made to
make 1t Illegal for the car owner to
allow his car to become dangerous.
While these have served to establish re-
sponsibility for accidents, they have not
worked so effectively in the matter of
preventing carelessneSs in car upkeep.
Good Condition of Auto Vital.
at has been demonstrated time and
time again that it Is up to the indiVid-
ual to keep his car in good condition.
His responsibility is definite, inescap-
able. If he knows the consequences of
dodging his duty. he may be inclined
to act"
Skidding comes third In the list OF
physical factors causing accidents, says
Mr.. Jose, who points out that 16 per
cent of the fatal accidents due to con-
ditions at the scene Of rnishaps are
classed under this heading.
Defective roads which cause IL per
cent of the accidents traceable to phys
ical conditions cannot leave the per-
sonal element out Of the final reckon
ing, he believes. 1t is not beyond the
individual drivers capacity to deter
mine the character of the road upon
which he is travelling, says Mr.. Jose.
He is capable of recognizing the danger
inherent in certain road conditions and
should act accordingly.
Safety demands that the motorist