Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-20
FORECASTS 10000
!. DEATHS BY AUTO
:.
Road Group Says Fatalities
for First Eight Months in
1929 Set Record.

Nineteen of the Nations largest cities
1000 population this year from motor
vehicle fatalities,
These figures were cited today In the
highway safety campaign of the Ameri.
can Road Builders Association as In
dicative of the great need for courtesy
and caution on the part of every driver
and pedestrian, for all are potential
victims of this great evil Of modern
transportation.
The total Of trafic deaths for the
first eight months of 1929, which was
s.5 per cent higher than for the same
period of 1928, forecasts at least 10000
deaths and possibly more by the end OF
the year. The worst months of pre-
vious years have been the Autumn and
early Winter months, and 1t is assumed
that this year will not be an exception
1O0 Per Cent Increases.
Several cities had traffic death in
creases of 100 per cent or more, COM
pairing the August figures with those
OF August, 1928. An average of 81 per-
sons were killed each day in August
according to figures of the National
Safety Council. which has reports from
about one-haIf of the country showing
that more people we're killed by motot
vehicle accidents In the United States
in August than in any previous month
in our history.
If the proportionate increase BY
months follows the trend Of forme:
years, December, 1929. will see $500
deaths, nearly ITO persons daily
The proportion of pedestrian deaths,
which continues to rise, in August was
So per cent. The opening of school
always has brought a higher total fig
ure of pedestrian deaths, as from 40
to so per cent are of children under Is
years of age.
The child driver, so commonly blamed
for q large share of motor accidents,
had very small part in the accidents
reported in August, as out of $4,000
drivers involved all but $50 were 10
years Of age or over.
Pittsburgh, Pa, led the list of larger
cities, those over q half million popula-
ton, which reported in August. It's
death rate was 24.8, or approximately
IS persons killed for each. 100000, If
the average monthly deaths continue
the same for the final four months of
1879. Cleveland. Ohio, was second with
q rate of 22.7. Boston is lowest in this
group, with probable rate of IA.
Cincinnati Leads.
In the list Of cities between 800 900
and 100000 population Cincinnati's ap-
proximated death rate Is highest, 24.6.
and New Orleans is close behind with
23.6. Rochester, NJ Y, with a possible
10.4 rate, Is lowest in this group.
Among the cities between 100000 and
100000 population San Diego, Calf
has an Appropriated rate Of a, and
Dayton, Ohio, Is next with 32.6. VIII
mington, DEL which went on the Au-
gust honor roll for completing the
month without motor vehicle DEATH
has only had 8 deaths in the first eight
months this year. and bids fair to en6
the year with a death rate of "a.
The highest rating in the entire list
OF reporting cities comes In the class
under 100 900 population, which is con-
trary to the general idea that the great
est trafflc danger is IN the largest cities
46.2 Persons Estimated.
Atlantic City. NJ j., with death rate
that may average 46.2 persons of each
100000 population this year, heads this
group. Chicopee, Mass, is second with
1913. Low honors of this class go to
Shreveport, La, which has had only
gust, and has an average rate of IA,
giving 1t the distinction of being the
safest city In the country in which to
drive or walk about the streets.
The American Road Builders Asso-
citation has consistently fought for wider
and safer streets and highways, sane
trafic legislation and its strict enforce
ment, elimination of grade crossings,
dangerous curves and other hazards.
uniformity Of traffic control. It is be-
lieved that in addition to all these
efforts the driver and pedestrian must
contribute courtesy and caution to the
great cause OF highway safety.