Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-06

THE enviable record of the
District of Columbia IN
having no traffic fatalities
during the last month OF
the old year is thought by officials
of the Traffic Bureau to be un-
equaled in any city OF any SIZE
throughout the United states. II
is a record that all the city oi1l-
cialS-all the citizenry Of the Ma.
tiOnal Capitalism be Justly proud
of, for every one had a part IN IL.
It is to be hoped that this record
will be repeated often in the
months to come.
Previously December has been a
bad month for traffic accidents
and traffic fatalities. For the
Christmas shopping and the holl-
days themselves, the streets OF the
city are wont to be badly con-
geSted. This condition was true
of last month. The fatality record
for the past five years during the
same month was: 1928, 8 deaths;
1924, II deaths; 1925, IS deaths;
1926, S deaths, and 1927, . deaths.
Explanations Offered.
Various explanations are attrib-
uted. The traffic lights are given
as the reason by some. The fact
that a Judge was on the bench at
Police Court who showed no mercy
for traffic violatorS is the cause
given by others. The gradual
elimination of reckless drivers by
cancellation of permits is advanc-
ed also. During last month more
than 1000 drivers with bad re-
cords were examined, many OF
whom had their permits revoked
or suspended. Perhaps all these
reasons contributed in making the
record of the month, but at the
same time it must not be under
estimated that the majority of
the motorists drove carefully and
with consideration for others.
The previous low-record month
was September, 1925, when only
two traffic fatalities were recorded.
Checking up on the total list for
the year shows that SO deaths
were classified as traffic fatalities,
although four were caused by
drowning when their machines
plunged over the sea wall near
Mains Point. This total is one
less than the year 1927. A greater
improvement Is noted when there
is considered that automobile
registration showed an increase of
is per cent over the previous year.
Accidents not resulting in fatal
injuries declined nearly one-half.
In 1927 4,947 injuries were re-
ported. Last year only 2,61S were
reported. Last year, accidents of
q minor nature were recorded
which helped swell the list to
some extent.
Favorable Comparison.
WaShington's record for 1928
will compare very favorably with
Elites with a population of 100000
or more. Actual compilation with
percentages will be given out later
by the Census Bureau. It is under
stood that Baltimore and Boston
are running Washington a close
race for the best record.
With the continuation of traffic
light installation, the wedding out
Of undesirable drivers and careful
driving, the National Capital
should do even better this year.
The next lights are to be put
into operation on e street in the
congeSted zone. Examination of
drivers with bad records continues
along at the average of Is a day.
In many cases it is found that a
driver may have two or three con-
VictionS of speeding or reckless
driving against him, but due to
negligence on the part Of the ar
resting officer, no charge Of second
Or third offense was ever pre-
ferred. In cases of this sort, the
permit is suspended or revoked
promptly. During the examina-
ton of these drivers with bad rec
ords it was found that most of
them were between the ages Of
10 and %