Evening star., 1932-01-31
SAFETY PROBLEM
FOREMOST ISSUE.
Continual Striving Needed to
Secure Better Traffic
Conditions.
BY WALTER p. CHRYSLER,

BY WALTER r. Chh SLEh,
President of Chrysler Motors Corporation.
Year after year our highways are
being given a greater and greater as
signment to handle. Registration fig
ures are evidence Of an ever-tncreaslng
number OF automobiles. Improvements
in road construction and the increase
in motor horsepower mean speeding
up of traffic and the extended use OF
the automobile into new and greater
fields. So each year the cumulative use
of our highways and byways mounts at
an amazing rate-and each year, also,
brings us an army of young and mex
perienced drivers Consequently, the
problem of safety on our highways will
long continue to be foremost issue
throughout the country.
With this increased use Of the auto
mobile motor accidents must not be
permitted to increase. There must be
q continual striving to secure traffic
safety.
No Individual Matter.
Driving on the highways long ago
ceased to be an individual matter. On
the road the conduct Of the 'other fel-
low affects in large manner our own
safety. and our conduct affects his
safety. All the time, with hardly a
thought about it, every one is expecting
every one else to drive according to the
conventional manner 1t has been
f md that by setting up certain regu-
lallons and extending their application
high degree of safety on the road has
been attained.
Cities, counties and States have pro-
t1I y,y1if Oh do Ifun-
ton in traffic manners by laying down
highway traffic regulations. Further,
with the increase of touring and cross
country trips, the naturalization Of
rules and standards has proved Of con-
siderable assistance TO the motor car
driver. The movement to standardize
road signs, traffic signals and the like
throughout the Nation have been Of
great value in the safety crusade and
should receive all possible encourage
ment
In addition to the regulations estab-
liShed by law certain conventional prac-
ticeS have grown up spontaneously
These form vital part Of our driving
conduct. These practices differ greatly
in the various cities and sections OF the
country. 1t would be a great aid to
tourists and long distance drivers II
these differences we're eliminated and
the practices that are backed by usage
rather than by law become uniform
throughout the country. The under
Government, but one logically fitted for
the work Of automobile clubs, especially
those Of national scope.
Many Advantages Gained.
The many advantages already gained
through uniflcation of traffic regula-
tionS and driving methods should be an
inspiration to further Standardization
The road here Is quite clear. All that
is needed Is the willingness and the in
dustry to continue the undertaking
Increased development of the high
ways to carry their immense burden and
to care for the augmented business
that IS certain to be assigned them Is
another key step in maintaining the
safety OF the roads. Construction OF
arterial highways is one of the creates
needs. Arterial roads are necessary moi
| only to connect cities and sections OF
the country, but also within the cite.
to handle the huge urban trafic and K
open the way for suburban develop.
ment. Double-deck roads in the more
congeSted areas would likewise be ar
aid to meeting the safety problem.
highway construction can very wei
be undertaken at this time Material.
are obtalnable at unusually low prices
and II pushed through new roads coulc
be completed at smaller cost than will
be possible again for many years Il
come. But with all Of these ways O.
| relieving traffic congestion-every on,
very necessary-there still will remain
Ine problem OF increasing accidents un.
less the two chief causes of accidents
can be removed, namely, unsafe car.
and careless drivers. Careless drivers vii
be with us always, but safe cars car
mitigate greatly the unsafe driver ant
the congested highway If all drivers
both the careful and the careless. wer,
surrounded with proper safeguards, tn,
accidents score would be reduced 10
minimum.
Safety Starts Ut Factory,
Accident prevention must BEGIN a
the factory, and the numerous careful
fact-f1ndtng surveys have establishe,
the four most important safeguards a.
reliable brakes, low center Of gravity
all-steel bodies and strong, easily op
Grated steering gear.
Perhaps some day, In an effort to safe
guard the safety Of all, puh1ie opinion
or legislation will make these feature
Of safety standard requirements on al
cars. Here, too, the principle Of stand
arcdxation win assist In maintaining tn
safety Of the highway.