Evening star., 1934-11-25

all sources to be 99,3OU. l93U
United States.
Now, what significant thought can
be gained from this situation at pres
ent? Certainly, it would seem that
all Americans are becoming more and
more careless, whether in motor cars
or in their own homes. This conclu-
sion really becomes apparent. The
cause of this additional carelessness
is difficult to discern. Surely there
are no more weighty problems to
consider than those of safety.
So it appears that something must
be done to make the Nation safer
outside of traffic which constitutes
only 35 per cent of the accidental
causes of death.
1884 Accident Trends.
Accident trends in 1884 has been
prepared recently by r. L. Forney'
statistician of the National Safety
Council. His findings, which follow,
are of the deepest interest:
If accidental deaths continue TO
increase as they have so far in 1884,
this year will reach new highs IN all
fatal accidents, motor vehicle fatal-
ties and home fatalities.
The previous high for all accidental
deaths was $4,000, reached in 1880.
This years total will probably be
several hundred nearer the lO0,OOO
mark; there was a 10 per cent in
crease the first eight months of 1884.
Motor vehicle deaths reached their
peak in 1881 with 33,675 fatalities.
The toll this year will be about 3o,O0O,
which is 1000 more than in 1888.
Some large cities have had good
records this year. In seven montns
Milwaukee reduced motor vehicle
deaths from 38 to 36 and has the
lowest death rate of any large city.
New York City, Pittsburgh and san
Francisco have also shown declines.
AS usual, the 1884 motor vehicle
death record of children Is better
than that of adults. Deaths OF chill
dren under 5, in fact, declined Z
per cent among a large group OF
cities and States; school age children
increased per cent, the 1854 age
group increased 20 per cent, and those
over IS years went up l3 per cent.
Pedestrian fatalities have increased
less than other types Of accidents this
wear. In a large area studied, there
was an increase of IA per cent in all
deaths while pedestrian deaths In
creased only 10 per cent.
States with standard drivers license
laws have had only IL per cent more
motor vehicle deaths in 1884 than
in 1888, while States without such
laws have advanced % per cent. One
thousand lives would have been saved
already this year if the entire country
had done as well the States with
adequate drivers license laws.
Part of this years increase in
motor vehicle accidents Is due to
more highway travel. However, gaso-
line consumption-our best index of
motor vehicle travel-increased only
z per cent during the first six months
of 1884, compared with 20 per cent
advance in motor vehicle deaths.
Home fatalities are increasing as
fast in 1884 as motor vehicle deaths.
If the advance continues there will
be several thousand more home ia
talities this year than ever before.
Fatal industrial accidents are in
creasing about 5 per cent over 1888.
This is partly the result of more men
at work, but even industrial accident
rates, taking account of hours worked,
are increasing somewhat.
A Remarkable Record.
At hand is evidences of re-
markable record. If the average
driver could attain anywhere near
such a record motor vehicle mishaps
and deaths would be reduced to the
minimum. The holder of the fol-
lowing record is above the average
driver, no doubt But. unfortunately,
the average driver nearest him Is
far away.
Alvin j. Musselman's record Of
more than 100000 miles of driving
without a single accident has at
tracted such wide attention that
Cleveland Automobile Club asked Mr..
Musselman to summarize the most
important of the rules he follows In
avoiding crashes. Here they are:
Know your car. That means
keeping your car in good mechanical
condition and knowing just what YOU
can do with it. Many motorists have
been killed because their cars stalled
on sudden acceleration.
Know what the other fellow is
going to do. That's easy if you teach
yourself to anticipate what the other
driver is going to do. If you. note
something unusual in the way he's
driving, keep your eyes open-he's
probably getting ready to stop, or to
make quick turn.
After passing a car, Immediately
turn back into the right-hand lane.
The fellow you have just passed may
by cocky young buck who decides
he'll step on it and show you that
you can't pass him. If there's an on
coming car, there may be a job for the
undertaken.
Keep your eyes on the road. Driv-
ing an automobile is an all-time job
and you have no time to admire the
scenery or a well-turned ankle on the
corner. The cemeteries are filled with
guys who tried to catch glimpse OF
the scenery off the highway.
Don't trust railroad crossing sig
nails. Sometimes they fail to work.
And thus far manufacturers have
failed to turn out motor car that
can compete with a train in sturdi-
ness of construction"
Mr.. Musselman declares he does
most Of his cross country driving at
high speeds and that he has avoided
trouble by observing these simple
rules. There may be question as to
whether the rules or plain luck have
guided him through the years, but the
fact remains that his records show
considerably better than 100000
miles and not crumpled mudguard.
1t is hard to believe also that even
luck would last that long.
Anent Auto Shows.
Among the features at the New York
Automobile Show, to be held in Grand
Central Palace January to IL, will
be a foreign car making its debut in
this country. The newcomer is the
as. S." British product, manufac-
tured by s. S. Cars, Ltd, Foleshill,
Coventry, England. Specification de-
+oiIe of the models tn be shown will