Evening star., 1932-03-27
BY ANDREA SCKOPPEGLIA.

BY ANDREA P. SCKOPPEGLIA.
Schoolboy safety patrols in our Ma
tons Capital are the principal factors
in calculating the arduous problem of
adequately safeguarding the lives Of our
school children from the perils of the
incessant armada of surging motor
vehicles along our streets and highways
during school hours. Behind this
stanch organization stands a corps Of
carefully trained students who, during
the course OF the school term, perform
service of such high merit that can
hardly be overrated after taking into
consideration the numerous and varied
responsibilities with which they are
constantly confronted.
Organized in 1926.
The District of Columbia units were
organized on October /, 1926, at which
time II patrols were put into operation,
with 525 boys enlisting as members
and protecting approximately $1,000
children. This organization is under
the immediate control and supervision
OF the American Automobile Associa-
tion and has been formed for two
specific purposes. The major one is
traffic; the minor one is that of pro-
viding an orderly dismissal of children
from school
Much has been done in the way of
instructing these boys in the fundamen-
tai principles of the CORPS They have
been taught the knowledge Of quick and
accurate thinking, the knowledge of
Self-sacrifice and audacity, and they
nave learned the lesson of reliability.
Moral integrity, good manners and
truthfulneSs have also been impressed
upon their young minds, all of which
are vital assets in promoting good
citizenship. Through the untiring
efforts of school teachers, principals
and police officers assigned from each
OF the city'S IA precincts, the prescribed
daily routine has been carried out in
such proficient manner that 1t has
played an important role in maintain
ing the proper morale and efficiency of
the esprit de corps.'
1nat the dominating influence exer-
cised by this organization is materially
diminishing the accident rate in the
District is attested by a comparison of
the accident statistics during various
periods. With school registration of
less than $4,000 in 1926, when the pa
trols were at their infancy Is children
OF school age were fatally injured in
motor vehicle accidents: while in 1929
with school registration of nearly
10000, only 10 were killed During
the past year not child was killed or
even seriously injured in the vicinity
CT school building during school hours
In the District of Columbia. Uniform
laws, regulations and effective en-
forcement, however essential, are not
alone adequate for the control of our
school children. Intelligent co-opera-
tlon by the Schoolboy Safety Patrol is
obviously necessary in decreasing the
percentage OF fatalities and injuries
annually.
Safety Education.
In line with the modern tendency In
safety education, public schools in the
District of Columbia and throughout
the United States have organized ad
mirable courses for specific safety edu
cation. The interest OF the students
has been further aroused through q
national safety essay contest conduct
ed annually. These safety educational
extracurrtcular activities have shown
their dominating power to awaken
Pubic consciousness of the character of
the accident problem and adequate
means for avoiding hazards. These
efforts have been noteworthy among
children Of school age, among whom
the accident rate has actually decreased
during the period Of general national
increase. Safety patrols, coupled with
rigid instructions to children to use
the crossings protected by such patrols
and follow the instructions Of the pa
troimen have proved very effective
among our youth.
During the past year approximately
100000 safety posters and as many
lessons in safety were given to children
throughout our Nation. Estimates on
the basis Of authentic reports indicate
that nearly 100000 children were
reached and instructed In addition
there are 100000 patrolmen enrolled
In l0,500 patrol units in 1000 cities
and towns.
In the District of Columbia alone
419 schools were supplied with Is 900
posters and $4,000 loose-leaf safety
lessons. These lessons are presented
to the student in a unique manner,
They are woven into the academic life
OF the school by means of posters.
plays and dramatic sketches. A survey
of records reveals that for kindergarten.
first. second and third graders the
safety poster is the main topic OF dis
cussion. The poster is placed in front
Of the class room. and after studying it
with their teacher, the small children
are asked questions in reference to the
theme discussed or illustrated. In this
way they are taught to cultivate their
powers of observation.
For the fourth, fifth and sixth
graders, the lessons naturally become
more intricate. They are asked to
xyrite shnrf sfories On safety In ANNE