Smyrna times., 1933-07-26
DROP IN FATAL
ACCIDENTS
Statistics Show Decline i'm
1882 With Motor Acct
dents Still i'm Lead
SPEED NOT A FACTOR

Chicago.-Accidenta deaths num-
bered $4,000 in the United States
during 1882. thus registering a de-
cline for the second successive year,
according to Accident Facts" just
issued by the National Safety coun-
Gil. The total for 1880 was 90, 800
and for 1881, 97.415. Last years to-
tai. therefore, was 10 per cent un-
der 1881, and 11.5 per cent under
1890, the all-time maximum. The
1882 total is also smaller than in
any year since 1924. when S5,6S4
persons were killed in accidents.
Motor vehicles still lead as
cause for accidental death. Automo-
bile accidents took 29,5OO lives last
year, home accidents claimed 2S,000,
public fatalities (not involving mo-
tor vehicles) $4,000, and occupa-
tional accidents 5000. About 2.500
occupational deaths also involved a
motor vehicle, and this duplication
must be eliminated to arrive at the
$1,000 total.
There were approximately $780,
900 accidental injuries last year and
the wage loss, medical expense and
overhead insurance cost involved in
injuries and deaths totaled $1,000
100000.
Fewer Motor Accidents.
Last year witnessed the first drop
ever recorded in motor vehicle acci-
dents. The total of 29.5OO deaths
may be contrasted with 1868 in
1881, 32,929 in 1890, 31,215 and 27.-
996 in 1928. The percentage de-
crease last year was about double
the decrease in motor vehicle travel
as reflected in gasoline consump-
tion.
About IA per cent Of all traffic ac-
cident fatalities involved pedes-
trianS.
In addition TO the 29,5OO motor
vehicle deaths last year there were
approximately 1.O35,OOO non-fatal in
juries Of which about 5000 were
permanent in character. The cost
Of these accidents, not including
property damage, IS estimated at
$62O,OOO,OOO
In about Az per cent of the fatal
accidents reported, the driver had
been drinking. In less than / per
cent were poor eyesight or other
physical defects noted Thus 90 per
cent of the victims had no ap-
parent physical or mental defect
which should have prevented the
efficient operation Of the vehicle.
Speed Not Always Factor.
Although the Importance Of speed
is an accident fact which cannot be
ignored, most OF the fatal accidents
In cities occurred when the vehicle
was travelling at a rate of between
20 and % miles per hour.
Occupational accidents took 1900
lives last year This compares with
1880 In 1881, 1900 in 1890 and
10000 In 1929. In addition, there
were approximately 100000 nom
fatal injuries.
Tobacco. laundry. cement. and the
printing and publishing Industries
are the safest" industries as far as
the relative frequency Of accidents
per man-hour worked is concerned.
The numbering. mining and construc-
tion industries have the worst rec
ords. both in frequency and severity.
Fatalities in Home.
Home accidents claimed 2S,OOO
lives last year. only 1900 less than
motor vehicles. They also caused
about 4.195.OOO non-fatal injuries.
While domestic fatalities dropped
slightly from the preceding year.
the decline is smaller than in any
Of the other principal classes.
Approximately 43 per cent of all
home fatalities are the result of
falls and another 10 per cent are
chargeable to burns. scalds and ex-
plOsions. The kitchen seems to
be the most dangerous spot In the
house. for "a per cent of the fa-
talities occur there. Another % per
cent occur on stairs and in halls.
Deaths caused by public accidents
(not motor vehicle) dropped to 49,
900 in 1892 and non-fatal injuries
are estimated at 100000.
Drownings and firearms played the
largest part In this toll.