Evening star., 1934-06-24

WlOS, OUG luCh1ly CllOuSl UllClC
Southern Maryland roads are fo
during bathing and fishing we
Marys last week surely told a Sto
BY Far the Worst.
But the roadway from BladenSburg
to Annapolis is by far the worst. Its
width was hardly helped by shoul
der on one side in recent years, and
its curves are far too many and dan
serous.
Bad as these physical conditions are,
the attitude of some Sunday drivers
ma kes matters deplorable. Some, TAX
ing out their new cars for the first
time, feel obliged to creep along
around 20 miles per hour. Now, this
Is all right, but not on crowded mar
row roads. A car can be broken in
Just as we'll at places less congested
Another practice is dangerous, and
that is the constant pulling out OF
line to pass when the line consists OF
100 or more machines. There is no
advantage to be gained by passing
one or two cars when the line exists
for miles beyond. Many an accident
is narrowly averted. This condition
exists every Sunday afternoon on the
Annapolis road. People living nearby
come out to witness the parade for
entertainment. Last Sunday it re-
ouired motorists from to 8 pm.
more than an hour to drive 5 miles.
This road should be patrolled by
Maryland policemen. They could
speed traffic up and prevent block
ing of the highway by cars pulling
out This would help, but what is
really needed is a wider roadway and
overhead or underground connection
with the Baltimore pike at Bladens-
burg. In the meantime, more con-
sideration by many of Sundays mo-
torists would prove very beneficial.
A. A. A. Issues Warning.
In connection with the above, it is
of interest to read report just re-
leased by the A. A. A.
That recent months have brought
an alarming increase in highway
fatalities and injuries is definitely in
dicated by reports reaching the Amer
lean Automobile Association from its
affiliated clubs and other agencies in
all parts of the country.
"One of the most disturbing features
of the situation is the fact that cur
rent accidents appear to result in a
higher number of fatalities and serious
injuries" Thomas P Henry Of De-
troit, Mich, president of the national
motoring body. said.
Declaring that national continuing
effort to solve the problem is lmpera-
tive. Mr.. Henry advanced a four-fold
program which he said will be sub
mitted for detailed consideration to
the thirty-second annual convention
of the A. A. A, on June IS, as follows:
First, sound and uniform motor leg
islation, including a strong drivers
license law and safety responsibility
law.
Second, comprehensive and funda-
mental traffic engineering to keep the
facilities for motor transport abreast
Of its needs.
Third, vigorous enforcement of all
motor laws and regulations.
Fourth, systematic education of
motorists and pedestrians, adults as
well as children.
Mr.. Henry continued:
"Our analysis OF records and re-
ports proves conclusively that the
cities and the towns that have made
the most progress in safety proceeded
along these and similar lines. They
also demonstrated the overwhelming
Importance of strong, centralized, uni
fed organization of authority and re-
sponsibility.
THE record for the first four months
of this year continued to show con-
stantly ascending curve of accidents.
1t should be remembered that nor
maliy these are the months during
which fatalities and injuries are at
their loweSt-in fact, the ratio is rs
as compared with 100 for the last six
months of the year. With this in
mind, the prospect ahead of US can be
readily viSualized.
There is no indication whatever
that the repeal of the eighteenth
amendment has had anything at all to
do with the noted increase, an in
crease which was on the way, in fact,
before repeal. It can be ascribed In
some degree, at least, to an increase
in car operation in terms of mileage:
to the millions of obsolete and poorly
maintained cars on our streets and
highways; to the growing inadequacy
of cur highways to carry the high
speed traffic of today, and to the large
number of youthful drivers operating
family cars without the requisite dis
cipline and restraint"
Shows to Be Continued.
It looks as if the annual automobile
shows will be held after all. Tradition
seems to be holding the various dealers
to this plan. OF course, it is still UP
to the manufacturers as to when the
cars are put out, but it seems safe to
believe that the annual events will not
be eliminated in January of next year.
According to Gas Tax News, pub
lished by the American Petroleum
Industries Committee, taxes upon
motor fuel in 1888 cost the American
public more than s700,0O0,000, the
largest gasoline tax bill ever paid.
State gasoline taxes alone cost
s518195,712 or nearly $4,000, 200 more
than in 1882. Federal gasoline taxes
cost an additional $181, ,125 .988, or
nearly three times as much as in
1882. County and or city gasoline
taxes cost at least s7,o0O,O0O more,
estimates indicate This sum. added
to the s69e ,321, ZOO cost of Federal
and State levies, lifted the total gaso-
line tax bill above $700,000,000
Dacy,ita tha inrraoSa in the c0St
of these taxes, studies of the Amer
ican Petroleum Industries Committee
reveal. the amount of revenue spent
upon State highways, the purpose for
which gasoline taxes were levied, was
nearly SIS, ,000, 900 less than in 1882.
The amount spent upon city streets
was nearly s3,50o,o00 less than in