Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-22
HIGHWAY EXPERTS
URGE UNIFORM TRAFFIC LAWS
Need for Accurate Statistics Stressed at
Third Countrywide Session to Aid
Accident Prevention.

but that during the same time the death
rate from all other accidental causes de-
cltned from sos per 100. 900 population
in 1920, to 54.4 per 1000 population
| In 1929.
Uniform Figures Called For.
In proposing that the States assemble
: statistics and factual information on
vehicle accidents, the conference said:
I'm accordance with the uniform We
hicle code Of the conference, statutes
should be passed In every State where
| they do not now exist which would
make 1t the specific business of some
State agency preferably that clothed
with authority for issuing and revoking
licenses, to receive traffic accident re-
ports and investigate accidents, whether
occurring within or without the corpo-
rate limits of municipalities, and 1t
should be made obligatory by law for
those concerned to report trafic acct
dents, for use of the trafic authorities
only with provisions of an adequate
penalty for failure to report.
Reasonable uniformity in reporting
and tabulating schedules, with standard
definition of terms. is essential. SUM-
cient detailed information should be in
cluded to indicate clearly the circum-
stances surrounding the accident, as
follows:
81. RecklesSness. carelessness or in
capacity of persons.
%. Fault of mechanism of the We
hicle, or maintenance of same.
3. Physical condition of locality
where the accident occurred.
Accident spot maps and card files
should be maintained to detect points
where accidents occur most frequently
and to form q basis for plans to elimi-
nate the conditions which may lead to
accidents"
In dealing with this question the
States and cities are urged to adopt
the standard accident report form that
has been developed in recent years by
Government and private agencies, and
through which it is possible to make
comparable studies of traffic accidents,
and to determine the specific causes, or
groups OF causes, in connection with the
total number of accidents.
Information thus obtained should, in
the view Of the conference, be classified
and made available for educational and
legislative study, the guidance of engi-
neer1ng agencies, and for consideration
by enforcement and judicial authorities.
Prevention of accidents, the confer
ence declared, is a problem of educa-
ton, engineering and enforcement, and
comprehensive accident records and
statistics are Of supreme Importance In
dealing with the different phases Of the
problem.
Underlying Facts Wanted.
The conference declaration on this
point says:
Comprehensive research into the
causes of street and highway accidents
is needed for the purpose Of deternin-
ing the direct and contributing causes
OF accidents and the frequency of the
various hazards and in pointing the
way to improvements from the stand
point of safety in design, construction
and adjustment of motor vehicles
1T has a place also in the design,
construction and maintenance of streets
and highways and in traffic laws, regu-
lations, signs, signals, markings and
other devices for the control of traffic.
Its use extends likewise into the
methods OF examining applicants for
operators licenses, including special ex-
aminations for chauffeurs, persons suf-
fering from physical or mental handi-
caps and persons who may be brought
before the courts or motor vehicle COM
mlssloners for repeated traffic viola
tons
Such research should obviously en-
brace thorough study Of the efficacy Of
intended remedies.
The great and increasing toll of
death and injury and the economic loss
from traffic accidents, rapidly approach
ing a billion dollars year, emphasize
the importance of adequate accident
records and analyses as a basis for ap-
plying remedial measures
1t was pointed out in the conference
that effective treatment of all trafic
problems starts with the accurate
knowledge of the underlying facts.
Other facts brought out we're to the
erect that States with complete sys-
TENS for Licensing motor vehicle oper-
ators and administering the trafic laws
have materially better accident records.
or fewer accidents, than In States where
drivers examinations for licenses are
not mandatory and the administration
OF the trafic laws is not centralized.
Statistics of uniform and comparable
nature would be Of assistance, it was
Indicated, In the conduct Of safety edu-
cation in the public and private schools
and In the work of public and civic
bodies in the effort to reduce the acct
dent toll.