Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-14

1VV,VUV Oh the Populatlon In 1927, and there IS
every indication that the 1928 and 1929 figures
viii be much higher, according to DR.. r s.
Murphy Of the United States Census Bureau
The death rate has increased so fast in the
last two or three years that automobile fatali-
ties have become among the first five causes
OF all deaths in some States and among the
hrst 10 In others" DR.. Murphy told me-
For the 52-week period ending May 10, 1929,
the total number Of fatalities from auto
mobile accidents for 70 large cities indicated an
increase in the death rate of per cent in a
single year. The trend over a period of years
has been steadily upward. At the present time
accidental deaths hold seventh place among all
causes Of death in America, being exceeded only
by heart disease, cancer, nephritis, cerebral
hemorhage, tuberculosis and pneumonia. In
one-fourth Of all accidents automobiles are IN
volved.
The death rate in cities due to automobile
accidents is only slightly higher than the death
rate for the Nation as whole. The city rate
increased from 10 per 100000 Of the population
in 1928 to % per 100000 for 1928 This does
not represent the true rate however since
many people injured outside of cities were
brought into the city hospitals, where they died,
and this increased the city death rate.
The time Of year bears an interesting and
somewhat surprising relationship to automobile
accidents. For the Nation as q whole the May
accident rate stood well above the national
average for 1928. But a greater number Of
accidents occur during November and Deem
Der than at any other time during the year.
In January they begin dropping on and reach
the lowest level in February. During July and
August the rate climbs away above the average
again. possibly due to the increase in the num-
Der Of motor cars on the roads during the vaca-
ton period
Just why the peak of automobile accidents
Is reached during November and December,
when over the cold, extreme northern portion
OF the country many cars are out Of service, DR..
Murphy said he didn't know and had never
heard plausible explanation. Mexican authori-
ties have found that the fatality rate on Mex.
lean highways also becomes greater during the
last two months Of the year.
What city has the lowest automobile fatality
record? Which has the worst?
Kansas City, Kans., and Duluth, Minn have
the record for the fewest fatalities for the year
ending May IS, 1929. an average Of II Is per-
sons killed per 100000 Of population, respec-
lively. Boston comes next with q rate Of is.
New York City and Philadelphia have very
good regulations with records Of Is persons
killed per 100000 Of population. Chicago has
fatality record Of 25.7 per 100000
Three New Jersey towns have bad records.
Camden hangs up a record Of 653 persons
killed per 100000 of population, the highest
rate IN the United States. Paterson has rate
Of n per 100000; Trenton rate of 435. San
Diego, Calf, has the second blacklist record
IN automobile fatalities, with rate OF, 51.2 per
100000 Of its population.
Which State has the best record for keeping
down automobile fatalities? Which has the
worst? t~>-''s't .N',tt '"'at ~. T',''' ."