Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
ACCIDENT HAZARDS
GREATLY REDUCED
Driver Remains Weakest
Part of Moving Vehicle, Says
N. A. C. C. Official.

Until the automobile industry manu-
features the robot driver. as we'll as the
Car. it will be difficult to improve ma
terially upon the safety features of
present-day automobiles" states Paul
G. Hoffman, member Of the Street
tomobile Chamber OF Commerce, in
commenting upon progress in the build
ing of safety vehicles.
To-day the weakest part Of the NOV
ing vehicle is the driver. Most acci-
dents happen because he fails to CO.
ordinate.
The recent National Conference on
Street and Highway Safety after load
ing the vehicle with as many accidents
as possible was still unable to accuse it
of responsibility for more than a minor
part of the automobile accidents and
most of those due to lack Of mainte-
nance.
New Safety Devices.
This year witnesses the further use
OF safety or mountaineering glass in
closed car construction; the introduce
ton of windshield wiper equipment
which enables the operator of the vehi-
ice: improved gear shifting; better
steering. to mention only few OF the
more important added safety features.
"A review of the last few years shows
some really notable improvements that
have been made in this direction.
"One of the most spectacular changes
in vehicle construction came with the
introduction of the four-wheel brake
in 1921. While this was adopted by all
makers over period OF years 1t Is in
teresting to note, first, that all new
very few of the older vehicles on the
road are of the two-wheel brake type.
Comfort Increased.
I'm 1928 the balloon tire was intro
duced, adding tremendously to riding
comfort and later to safety. In 1926
non-shattering or safety glass came
into use and Is being adopted generally
for use throughout the new cars:
Many other changes were made with
a view to lessening fatigue and improv-
ing vision, such as more comtortanie
upholstery, particularly in the drivers
seat and the use of steel corner posts
to eliminate blind spots.
"Non-glaring rear view mirrors ana
stop lights are among the less 1mpor-
tant accessories making for safer
driving.
NOT all equipment problems are
solved, however. for we still have with
us the question of headlight glare.
The automotive industry has been CO.
operating with the Bureau OF STANDARDS
for several years in studies OF headlight
ing and the endeavor to find ways and
means of eliminating glare. Consider
able progress has been made in the I'M
provement of headlights, which, with
more regular adjustment requirements
now insisted on in many States Is un-
doubtedly helping to cut down the
number Of accidents resulting from
headlight glare.
Inadequate Maintenance.
Lastly. 1t should be borne in mind
that many of the accidents charged to
the vehicle arise from inadequate
maintenance. Vigorous steps are being
taken in some IL States by way OF an
nual vehicle inspection. In at least one
state such an in.pcction is pre-
requisite to registration.
such an inspection checks on the
eff .ctiveness of all equipment. Further,
concludes Mr.. Hoffman, sit is leaolng
in many cases to strong pubic oc-
mand for the removal Of the Junk car
from the road to reserved berth on
the scrap heap"