Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
PERIL TO CHILDREN
Increased Transportation,
Due to Improved Roads,
Menace to School Pupils.

Improved roads and motor vehicle
transportation, which have brought
modern educational advantages to rural
children, are source of ever-increasing
danger to the school boys and girls in
traf1c centers.
This anomaly of the traffic situation
Is pointed out in q statement issued by
the American Road Builders ASsocia-
ton in its campaign for highway safety.
"Since 1915" the statement says, ''ac-
cording to the United States Bureau of
Education, more than 5000 small, In
efficient rural schools have been closed,
approximately 10000 consolidated
schools established, and an average Of
about $24,000,000 expended annually in
transporting pupils to school.
Danger in Rural Areas Minimized.
These rural children are spared most
of the dangers which have taken the
lives of thousands Of their city cousins.
They encounter less traflc on their way
to and from school; they have no dan
gerous streets to cross, with jangling
electric cars, honking motor horns, huge
trucks dashing hither and yon; they
have vast fields and woods to play in.
The very young are given more care by
watchful parents.
THE safety problem of the city school
child is one that demands the attention
of parents, of educational authorities, Of
city officials and police, Of safety organ
izations, automobile clubs, churches and
civic bodies.
Safety lessons are being taught,
safety plays given, schoolboy patrols
organized TO guide the children across
the streets and to and from their
homes. In some OF the larger cities re-
gional plans seek to divert heavy trafic
from the streets that have most Of the
school children trafac. \,
Fatalities in 1928 Cited: y stsv.
TN the motor vehicle pedestrian ia
taIitieS which occurred In 1923 statis-
tics Of the National Safety Council
show that 80 per cent were Of children
under is years of age. Collision Of mo-
tor vehicles with pedestrians caused So
per cent Of the total number Of deaths.
Figures compiled in 1913 predes-
TRAN. accidents give as reasons in 6,253
cases the pedestrian was confused by
was DISTRACTED view. Surely these con-
ditions may be remedied and the acct
dents prevented.
"a compilation Of circumstances Of
pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents
shows that in 23,o67 cases pedestrians
were crossing the street at intersections
where there was no signal, 6,030 were
crossing against the signals, 3,618 were
crossing with the signals, and 1877 were
crossing diagonally at intersections.
Accidents at Street Crossings.
Crossing the street between intersec-
tons caused %, 4S3 pedestrians to meet
with motor vehicle accidents; 6,328 ac-
cidents happened to children at play in
the streets; 1903 to children riding or
hitching on vehicles.
Exactly one-half the fatalities and
one-half the accidents involving col
lision between motor vehicles and BIZ
cycles occurred to children under is
years Of age.
''The problem grows greater as the
months pass. The responsibility is a
divided one After the efforts of all
concerned have thoroughly awakened
the school child to trafic dangers, the
reckless motorist is yet to be dealt with.
Need Of Rigid Laws Stressed.
"The trafic laws to protect school
children must be adequate and rigidly
enforced. But laws and regulations can
make small amends after accidents
happen.
"The National Education Association
has joined with the American Road
Builders Association in an appeal to
motorists Of the Nation to practice ex-
IRENE caution In or near school zones,
and to extend to school children the
courtesy Of the right Of way"