The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-06-18
DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON
STREETS AND HIGHWAYS

A dreadful record is being made N Hen
Jacksonville and Henderson county IN the
handling of motor vehicles. Accidents are
of almost daily occurrence. Citizens ana
visitors are being killed or manned IN mo-
tor car accidents and their property IS be-
ing DESTROYED in wrecks. Conditions, on the
highways appear TO be growing more dan
gerous instead Of improving. Perhaps con-
ditions are as good in Henderson county IS
elsewhere in the State-we are not discuss
ing that point-but that is saying little IN
our favor, as North Carolina stands out In
front among all the States in the number
of motor vehicle accidents, and they are
spread over the entire area OF the State.
Now it is a fact that the most prolific
cause of automobile accidents is fast or
careless driving. There is not even an en-
cuse for the speed with which nine-tenths
of the motor car drivers send their ma
chimes over streets and highways. As for
reason, it is absurd to suggest that reason
IS remotely connected with the actions OF
many people who drive motor vehicles. 1t
would be nearer the truth to say that their
ACTIONS Indicate insanity: Fast driving
exceeding all lawful and all reasonable
sbeed hrnits-and simple, bone-head care
lsssnesS, are the causes OF a majority %
automobile accidents.
Some automobile accidents are caused
by drunken drivers at the wheels In view
Of the well known fact that a very smalh
amount of alcohol inside a driver may
cause an accident, it is probable that booze
IS responsible for more accidents than are
credited to it in the public records; but
liquor causes a far less number OF wrecks
than speeding, careless and reckless drlV-
ing.
What is the solution OF this problem
What is the answer to the question as TO
what can be done to stop these killings and
EOundingS on the streets and highways!
Last year &c, 600, persons were killed in the
United States and 1000, 900 persons were
injured in motor car accidents majority
of the States made better records than
North. Carolina. Do the people of this
State lack intelligence, good Judgment and
common sense? Are they not to be trusted
with motor cars? Shall the record go from
bad to worse until many persons will be
frightened away from the streets of our
towns and cities and the great highways
OF the State by the appalling record OF
motor vehicle accidents,2
OF course people from other sectors
and from other States are, frequently in
vOlved in accidents here, but full meas
ure of responsibility, according to the rec
Ords. must be placed upon our own citi-
Zens. At any rate, this appeal is addressed
to, the people OF this section of the State
and TO, readers of Phe Times-News; and We
appeal to every driver of a motor vehicle
for the sake of his or her own safety ane
the safety of others who use the street
and highways, TO adopt a course which
will materially help to improve the recorl
Henderson county has made in the pas
several months for motor car accidents
Let US make this contribution TO the gen
eral Improvement of North Cardinals rec
ord, as well as the eountys.
Heavyweight fighters could take les
son in ethics from Uncle Sam. He at leas
lets YOU know it 5 going TO be sham batI'