The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-06-30
SAFETY CONFERENCE
urges INSPECTION
OF ALL Cars BY LAW
Certificates Of Proper Condition
Proposed Before License
Is Issued
MILLION AUTOS DEFECTIVE
Brakes in More Than That Num-
Der in Four States Found
to Invite Tragedy
MILLION AUTOS DEFECTIVE

" uIIVIIe Io&0Ny
Mechanical defects In automobiles
and other motor vehicles, due to neg
lect and careless use by owners, are
causing Is per cent of the deaths by
traffic accident, according to facts
developed by the third national con-
ference on street and highway safety.
Removal from the streets and high
ways Of every car in a dangerous me-
chanical condition, whether from de-
fective steering gear, faulty brakes or
broken headlights, through inspection
under state supervision of all motor
vehicles, was emphatically urged by
the conference.
It was brought out by the motor
traffic authorities Of Pennsylvania.
New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware
that among 1000, 900 motor vehicles
inspected in those states. more than
1,lO0,O 600 required brake adjustments
or renewals, 1000. 900 required adjust
ment Of lights, 280, 1000 required steer
ing gear repairs, and 500 900 required
other mechanical. corrections to put
them in a safe condition for operation
on the streets and roads.
Would Danish Decrepit Cars
The conference said that in recent
years there has been a notable I'M
provenent in the design and con-
struction of motor vehicles from q
safety standpoint, and the manufac-
turers r actively continuing this
work. It was pointed out also that
the owners Of fleets Of vehicles have
progressed in a marked degree In the
proper maintenance Of automobiles
and taxicabs, but that there has not
been a corresponding improvement
in maintenance on the part OF indi-
vidual owners Of private cars.
Such neglect, 1t was emphasized, Is
adding constantly to the list Of in
juries and fatalities. and the hazards
Of traffic on the streets and roads.
The estimate Of n traffic expert in
the conference was that in some
states one-half Of the automobiles
that have been In use for IL months
have headlights that are out Of focus
in some degree, and throw the beams
in the eyes Of approaching motorists
at night.
The conference in its decision on
this matter said.
"Old carr which can no longer be
mechanically kept In a safe condition
should be eliminated from the high-
ways. whether by proper provision in
the certificate Of title law, or by the
highway safety plan Of the manufac-
turers. which provides an allowance
for the junking of decrepit cars"
Manufacturers wer urged by the
conference to promote the proper
maintenance Of motor vehicles by CIV
ing full and complete instructions on
this point to the purchasers Of new
cars. The drivers Of cars also should
learn. to detect the presence of worn
parts, 1t was pointed out, and to eth
er make regular inspections. or have
such inspection made by competant
persons.
Makers Asked to Assist
In emphasizing this matter, the
conference said:
There should be furnished with
each new car complete and simple
instructions regarding the car Of the
various parts and equipment. Deal
ers, service stations and garages
should encourage regular attention by
car owners to maintenance, and ia
facilitate prompt and reliable tnspec-
ton and service, whether required by
q police officer or voluntarily desired
by the motorist.
such stations should be provided
with brake and headlight testing
equipment. OF special testing stations
should be established under state law,
The owners Of all commercial vehicles
should arrange for regular inspections
and servicing Of all parts and equip.
ment requisite to safety"
Liquidation by the various states
providing for the periodic inspection
Of automobiles. and requiring that
they be maintained In q safe mechan-
ical condition. was urged by the con-
ference. In connection with such
laws, the conference said:
Every state should adopt the pro.
Visions Of the uniform vehicle code
relating to equipment. together with
the necessary detailed administrative
regulations, and there should be peri.
odic inspection Of Ill vehicles in thu
state under rigid state supervision
and preferably under authorization
by state law.
!, S67 Defective Cars XIII 500
1 "A certificate Of inspection mol
more than three months old should
be required before the issuance o.
license plates, either for all cars o.
for all cars more than four years old
and Of cars which have been repurs
chased"
Statistics gathered by the confer.
ence in California. Indiana, New Yorl
and North Carolina through the police
departments Of II cities show thai
mechanical defects were found If
from / to 5 per cent Of the motor
vehicles involved in accidents Of al
kinds. In some cases the police Of.
ficer was unable to determine vheth.
er mechanical! defects existed IL
vehicles involved in accidents withou'
making definite tests. Usually onll
such defects are reported as are glar,
ing and u~nmistakable.
The state Of Oregon reported de-
fects In more than IS per cent Of q,
600 vehicles involved In accidents
In Cook county, Illinois, SGT al IL
500 fatal accidents were reported b,
the coroner ~ defective.
Safety inspection campaigns b!
towns and counties were urged b,
thu conference. with the