Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-23
AMERICAN RED CROSS DELvES
INTO PROBLEMS OF THE ROAD
Importance of Individual Responsibility
Stressed by Organization That Gives
First Aid to Injured.

The problem Of motor vehicle fatali-
ties, expanding, as 1t has. with each
succeeding year, has cutgrown solu-
ton by any single agency. The SUD
port Of every city. State and group
must be obtained II the trend IL to Be
turned IN safer direction. Individ-
ual responsibility among motor vehicle
operators can do more In curbing the
driving hazards than all organized e.
forts combined Regulation for edSlca-
ton and enforcement along safety lines
viii help considerably. but individual
responsibility must be awakened II the
grave problem Is to be definitely solved.
Negligence Must Go.
Until negligence Is forced OF the road
the number Of fatal accidents viii re-
main far too high for the safety Of
careful motorists. The worst Of the
situation does not lie IN the risks the
chance-taking driver runs, but the dan
gers they create for the law-abidins.
careful motorists and pedestrians. 100
often the latter groups are victims OF
negligence Of the careless lot.
Rigid enforcement Of trafac lawn and
regulations and punishment Of vioiatOrs
Is being urged by the National Confer
ence on Street and Highway Safety.
Driving tests, examinations and license
requirements also are strongly adRo.
Gated by the conference II Is the optn.
ION OF the conference that driver v1ae
cannot demonstrate he Is competent
and mt to handle motor vehicle with
. reasonable degree Of safety should not
be allowed To enter the public streets or
highways Punishment Of drivers not
conforming with safety measures Wiil
materially help in the solution Of the
problem.
II the drivers license measure Of the
conference should be adopted By acts 81
legislation by all States, the Nations
street and highway trafac would rain
most important protection against the
careless and reckless drivers. whose
presence endangers both pedestrians
and other motor vehicle operators.
Statistics reveal that more than 30
per cent Of all motor vehicle accidents
occur at street intersections. Such M
formation Is evidence of the negligent
drivers general disregard for DANGER
zones. The crossing Of streets between
Intersections Is listed in the statistical
report OF the conference as the second
most productive cause Of motor vehicle
fatalities. Play in the. streets among
report.
Child Fatalities Less.
Due to the safety measures in schools
improved police protection in raarly
cities and caution signs, the increase n
child fatalities from motor vehicle acci-
dents has been less than In adult fatal
tiles from the same cause. The number
OF accidental deaths among children In
this country. however. stan Is far too
great. Between 1922 and 1898 the total
motor vehicle fatalities increased ~ o
per cent, but child fatalities (under is
years OF age) increased only zz.e Der
cent, while adult fatalities increased
1869 per cent
The fourth quarter Of the year. ar
the late Fail and early Winter seasoIl
contributes Q greater number of motor
vehicle fatalities than any other So
son. Here again the Importance of
careful driving presents itself. Icy
Continued on Fifth Paee7