Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30


ested in the welfare of the Nation
to take an active part in promul-
eating plans that will tend to
alleviate this menace to human
life and property.
War, with their useless killings,
at least have an end or a tenn
porary cessation. Motor traffic at
present knows of no armiStice, and
the slaughter goes numerically
on.
Safest in History.
Manufacturers Of cars, builders
of roads, have Joined forces to
make the highways the safest in
history for transportation. Their
good work goes on daily, but still
the death and injury tolls con-
tinue mounting. Therefore there
can be no question that in the
majority of cases the responsible
ity lies with the man behind the
wheel. It is in this quarter that
help must come
Adoption of legislation based on
the theory that the operator of an
automobile should be personally
responsible for the safe operation
of the car will go far in curbing
the mounting tolls of highway
accidents, according to the Dis
trict of Columbia Division of the
American Automobile Association.
Pointing out that clear under
standing of the causes underlying
highway deaths and injuries is
unusual for the successful appli-
cation of remedies, the American
Automobile Association cites the
four principal factors to be:
First, the personal element, in
Guiding the driver and the pedes-
TRAN and the degree of RESPONSE
bility exercised by both; second,
the vehicle and its condition;
third, the physical condition Of
the roadway, and fourth, laws and
ordinances for regulating the use
OF the roadway, and the enforce
ment.
A. A. A. Statement.
Quoting from recent address
on the subject by Ernest N. Smith,
executive vice president of the
national motoring body, the fol-
low statement appears:
up until recently, the very
general practice was to attempt to
secure safety by legislating for the
engine, rather than for the person
ally beginning to realize that the
placement of the individual and
personal responsibility at the
wheel of every motor vehicle is by
far the most important of our
detectives, and that the major
national effort must be directed
along this line.
Organized and systematic edu-
cation can do a great deal to
inculcate sense of responsibility.
But education must be buttressed
by universal laws that will force
responsibility on that element.
namely the reckless minority that
is not amenable to education.
Mr.. Smith has the right idea.
Frequently it takes two to make
an accident as well as two to make
a fight, according to Capt. Art B.
Hickox, prominent automotive
engineer, now engaged in a safety
tour. He points out that this fact
is being recognized legally and
that the Detroit traffic courts
have entertained charges against
both participants of traffic
smash when the evidence showed
that both complainant and de-
fendant were responsible.
Causes Of Accidents.
Zone Of the major causes of
serious accidents is cutting out of
line and passing other cars on
the highway" says Capt. Hickox.
Cutting out Is necessary so long
as we have some drivers who want
to go 20 miles an hour and others
whose affairs demand double that
speed on the highway. And it can
be done without danger providing
all concerned use common ccur-
tesy, good judgment and a fair
amount Of caution.
Danger comes from three sides
each under the direct control
Of driver. First, the driver
attempting to pass misjudges the
distance and speed of the other
cars. Second, the driver Of the
car being passed becomes smart
end tries to race, regardless Of the
danger involved. Third, the driver
OF an approaching car, angered by
seeing a car on his side of the
road. declines to slow down until
1t is too late If a triple crash
occurs each of the three drivers
involved is TO blame.
The same is true of fender
humping episodes at street inter
sections. One driver may have the
right of way over the other. but
that does not prevent or excuse
him from using all possible pre-
cautions to prevent an accident.
Likewise, pedestrians should not
Jay walk, but If one does that does
not make him fair game for any
passing motorist. In an accident
Of this type frequently walker and
driver are equally blameable.
Every motorist should know the
capabilities Of his car and drive
accordingly. The car we use for
safety demonstrations has rapid
acceleration, excellent brakes and
Is easily controlled and steered. In
fact, the car is speeded up, stopped
or turned so easily and quickly
that almost any type Of accident
may be avoided, providing the
driver is on the job"