Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
In the Motor World
BY G. ADAMS HOWARD.

accidents occurred at the rate of
2.86 per 100000 miles and were
second in the order of import
ance. These two types, taken to-
gether, represented practically 80
per cent of the accidents. Par
| ticular attention is called to the
accident rate resulting from COLI
sions with pedestrians, which, &C
cording to this report, was only
1.04 per 100000 miles.
Five circumstances, or, as thew
are frequently termed, apparent
causes" were responsible for 64.3
per cent of the collisions with
private motor vehicles, according
to the report. These five causes,
in the order of their frequency,
were: Contesting right of way;
inattention to street or traffic:
following too closely; too fast for
conditions, and no control at in
terSection. The report points out
that it is apparent the best re-
suits in accident prevention work
could be obtained by concentra-
ton on the above mentioned
phases Of the problem.
The report further states that
of those accidents involving COL
IiSions with fixed objects, nearly
so per cent were the result of open
Dr improperly closed doors Strik-
ing lamp-postS, fire hydrantS,
Sign-posts, poles, ETC., either after
accepting or diScharging paSSen-
gers. A large number also re-
suited when the cab was out of
control from Skidding on icy or
wet pavement or from travelling
too fast for conditions.
Women Involved.
Almost 80 per cent of the non
collision accidents involved wom-
en-, who, upon entering or leaving
cabs, struck their heads against
the deck, the report says. Ere
quently, high-heeled shoes caused
women to trip when stepping on
to the running board, or caused
them to turn an ankle when ris-
ing to leave the cab. In most
cases, injuries to hands and fin
gers when closing cab doors in
volved women and children.
Women and children also pre-
dominated in the number of &C
cidentS resulting when cabs
stopped quickly, throwing passen-
gers out of their seats and against
the front partition. Although
male passengers were occasion
ally subject to accidents of this
kind, their injuries were usually
minor ones. Apparently differ
ence in stature between the sexes
had a bearing on the occurrence
of accidents to passengers when
the cabs stopped too quickly, or
were Jared severely by defects in
the roadway.
The report details that fault
of others" was responsible for rs
accidents per 100000 miles, &C
cording to the reports of drivers
when no additional information
was obtained. Also it was shown
that large percentage of acct
dents resulted apparently from
careless operating methods; and
small percentage, practically
One-fourth of an accident per
100000 miles, resulted from the
lack of proper mechanical inspec-
ton and maintenance.
Place of Accidents.
While it is usually considered
that an intersection is the most
dangerous portion of thorough
fare, a special study, involving
1896 accidents, showed that ap-
proximately 40 per cent of them
occurred between intersections.
The report continues:
Nearly 80 per cent of the 1913
non-collSion accidents, in this
special group, occurred in the
middle of the block. On the other
hand, slightly more than IS per
cent between taxicabs and pri-
vate cars occurred at interSec-
tions, as did approximately two
thirds of the collisions between
taXicabS and pedestrians. Such
information indicates conditions
under which the greatest fire.
quency of certain types of acct
dent may be expected and where,
accordingly, the greatest care
should be exercised by the opera
tors.
Considering the accidents of all
companies visited, the report
continues, left turns were re-
Sponsible for about Sc per cent
more accidental occurrences than
were right turns. This figure in
creased to Sc per cent with re-
spect to collisions with private
cars, and 80 per cent where trucks
were involved. In the case of
pedestrians, left turns and right
turns were responsible for ap-
proximately the same number Of
injuries.
Although, for the most part,
accidents were distributed rather
equally throughout daylight and
early evening hours, they reached
a peak at pm, when the eve
ming home-going rush usually
starts. Approximately 16 per cent
of the accidents occurred during
the three hours of the evening
rush period of 5, and 7 o'clock,
and slightly less than 9 per cent
during the morning rush period
of 7 to 9. This condition is usually
found in an analysis of traffic &C
cidents and it is considered the
result of the fact that persons re-
turning to their homes are more
fatigued and are usually in a
greater hurry than are those on
! the way to work in the morning.
Undoubtedly, this condition of
traffic generally has its effect on
the occurrences of taXicab acct
dents. It will be noted also that
nearly 20 per cent of the acct
dents occurred during the eve
ming hours, from 8 to II inclu-
Sive. This is usually a period