Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-11

Deaths and injuries In the traffic
record of the country have impressed
upon the public the need Of definite
arrangements to meet the problem. AS
a result of the sessions of the National
Safety Conference in Washington much
discussion of remedies for present con-
ditions has taken place. Among the
requirements suggested are uniformity
in regulations. proper inspection OF cars
and nationwide cooperation. It also
| Is argued that all States should require
that drivers be licensed.
1.-THE problem, serious as It Is, will
yield to earnest and sustained eftort,
contends the Atlanta Journal. after
noting that fresh admonition to care
full, competent and courteous driving Is
found in figures presented at the con-
vention." These figures are quoted by
the Journal, showing fluctuations and
reaching the point of lit mortal acct
dents to every 100000 automobiles in
1929, other figures having been 1876 In
1920, with a decline to ITO in 1925 and
lot in 1925. That paper also states
In the last decade motor vehicle fatali-
ties in the United States have increased
from 1880 in 1920 to $4,000 in 1925
and to 81 900 in 1929. Offset
ting this sad account are comparatively
small increases In casualties at railway
ment' in safety for children"
X y X
1.-THE material cost of traffic conges-
ton" impresses the Long Beach Press
Telegram as startling" a report to the
conference being quoted to show that
annually this was Gin excess of $4,000,
000, 900, and that the cost is increasing
each year" That paper points out that
speedy action by individual communi-
ties to correct this situation is recon-
mended," and it advises that "the fact
that days and days frequently pass In
given city of average size without loss
of life from highway mishapS proves
that continuous immunity Is possible"
Nearly every one" according to the
Minneapolis Star, lis in favor of laws
that will promote safety in the traffic
of automobiles. The question seems tc
be only one Of getting together on laws
which are practical and workable. In
commenting on possible remedies,
friends Of safety laws show a wide
divergence as to how far law should GO
in the matter Of regulation of automo-
bileS. To be effective, laws for
safety must not be so radical or drastic
that they become unavoidable and dead
letters on the statute books"
X X X
"This problem may we'll engage the
best minds of the country" declares the
New York Evening Post, directing atten-
ton to the point that "the steady in
crease in the rate of fatalities does not
suggest the hopelessneSs of preventive
efforts, but the need to make them more
intensive" The New Orleans Times
Picayune, maintaining that "in every
city the problem of effective enforce
ment cries out for solution" suggests
that until 1t is solved model regula-
lions can do little to help the traffic sit
uation. The fact-flnding search by Gov
eminent agencies, as proposed in the
conference recommendations" continues
the New Orleans paper, Should throw
some light upon the enforcement short
comings and their causes. But we Sug-
gest that the remedy for these condi-
tions depends upon the communities
themselves. The national conference
might help, however"
Gust how many of the thousands of
accidents annually are due to the abb
sence of uniform laws is not known"
says the Lynchburg News, "but we are
confident that the number must be
large. Uniform laws would be
a boon to motoring. Not only would
they contribute much to safety on the
highways and streets, but they would
make travelling more convenient" The
4NCWo-0CdNCA1 SaAIAC
line, complains that too often and too
long drivers have been victims of small
town policemen and magistrates over
jealous in enforcing some designedly
obscure quirk of local traffic laws"
X
Charging that reckless driving-not
necessarily speeds responsible for
most of the accidents" the Fort Worth
Star Telegram suggests: THE most ef-
fective single preventive Of accidents Is
q drivers licensing pystena. The most