Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30

Effective handling of the highway
trathc and congestion problem depends
in large measure on the collection, COM
pilation and practical analysis of uni
form and standardized accident and
traffic statistics by the different States.
This is the belief expressed by DR..
julius H. Paremlee, director of the Blu
reau Of Railway Economics, chairman
of the statistics committee of the Ma
tional Conference on Street and High
way Safety and prominent as an econo-
mist and statistiCian in the transporta-
ton field.
While not specifically urging a stand
ard statistical form for collecting and
reporting accident and other traffic
data, Dr. Parmelee pointed out that ef-
fectiye steps toward meeting the prob
lem as a whole must be based upon
statistics which are comparable in ma
ture and generally similar in classical
ton and grouping.
Must Show Need for Remedy.
I'm proposing traffic remedies or in
deviSing regulations and restrictions, we
must first crystalline in the minds of
the public the magnitude and complex
ity of the problem" he said.
1T availS little to propose a remedy
or a regulation IL at the same time we
the necessity for such a measure. This
can be accomplished in the most eff
fective way through the channel of uni
form statistics To my mind, they offer
the means for comparable study and
for scientific approach to the whole
traffic congestion and accident prob
lem"
Dr. Parmelee pointed out that the
country as a whole is not sufficiently
fnpt RnA 81 loto A,1F
dentS-their types, causes and frequency.
He asserted that these factors should
be measured in specific and comparable
statistical terms.
Some agency in every State should
| be clothed with authority to receive &C.
| cident and traffic reports and to COM
pile and coordinate them" he added.
Reasonable uniformity in tabulating
and reporting the figures from these
| reports is essential.
Many things are to be learned of
the congestion and accident problem
through such statistics. First there is
the factor of road and lighting condi-
tons; second, there is the type and
condition of the car; third, the ele-
ment of age, experience and physical
condition of the driver, and, last, the
primary cause of the accident.
Data Will Prove Aid.
Information of this nature will as
sist the highway authorities in every
| State and municipality in definitely
| putting their finger on the most fire.
| quent causes Of accidents and will aid
more quickly and effectively TO devise
| remedies"
! DR.. Parmelee expressed the belief that
/ the people of the country will realize
the serious aspect of the congestion and
accident problem only when it is put
/ before them clearly in statistical terms.
| Among the factors susceptible to con-
crete analysis in the traffic and acct
/ dent problem DR.. Parmelee pointed to
/ recklessness of motorists and careless
/ ness of pedestrians. More than 100000
! persons are being injured in traffic ac-
cidentS each year, he continued, but the
/ country has no comprehensive grasp as
TO the magnitude or frequency of each
direct or contributing cause.
Traffic and accident statistics Of
this nature can be made the basis Of
/ safety education in the schools and
educational work among drivers and
pedestrians If safety education is to
accomplish its best results, We must
/ know the scope and magnitude Of each
primary cause Of congestion and acct
dents
1T is entirely likely that study of
traffic rule violations from the rotations
on the records of drivers licenses will
reveal that small part of the licensed
drivers-posSibly from to 5 per cent
are habitual and reckless ViolatOrS Of