Milford chronicle., 1935-03-15
SO, 900 Persons Killed
By Autos Last Year

of death per accident between inter
sections was So per cent worse than
at intersections.
Accidents on Saturdays and Sun
days resulted in four out of every
ten deaths. The record was the
worst on Sundays, however, as the
rate of death per accident on that
day throughout the year was 1S per
cent in excess of the average. On
Saturdays the rate of death was
only per cent more than the av-
eTage.
A most serious aspect of the auto
mobile accident problem that has
been in evidence a number of years
and which continued to be bad last
year was the great number of fatal
accidents during periods of dusk and
darkness. During the year there
was not a single one of the twelve
normal hours of darkness in which
the rate of death per accident was
less than during daytime hours.
From 6 A. NJ. to p. NJ, the normal
daytime hours, there were 459,51O
automobile accidents in which 49,
$50 persons were killed, but from
6 P. NJ. to 6 A. NJ, the normal hours
of darkness, there were 422,49O acci-
dents in which 20,95O persons were
killed.
The rate Of death per accident
was 51.4 per cent worse during
hours of darkness than during hours
of laylight. On the basis of the
night time volume of traffic. which
is only a fifth of all traffic, the rate
of death during darkness was sew
eral hundred per cent greater than
in daylight.
During the four rush hours of the
evenings, from S to 8 O'Clock,
deaths exceeded the record of the
four rush hours of G to 10 in the
mornings by 2S9 per cent The hour
Just before midnight was the most
dangerous, as the rate of death per
accident for that hour was the high
est, 35 per cent greater than the
average for all hours combined. The
hour between 10 to IL A. NJ. was the
least hazardous. as the rate of death
per accident was the lowest, almost
SO per cent under the average.
Excluding such factors as expos
ure to traffic hazards and miles driv-
en-, the fatal accident experience Of
men drivers for the year was 81 per
cent greater than for women.
With the exception of drivers past |
65 years of age, where the fatal ac-
eident experience involves the great
pr probability of an accident prov
ing serious, the accident record of
Irivers under is years of age was
he worse of any age classification.
Jnder that age the fatal accident
ecord was 65 per cent greater than
he average. and between is and "a
ears, it was q per cent greater.
25 and 81 years, the ratio
# such drivers in fatal accidents
ras II per cent better than the av-
rage.
AS an indication that drivers by
areful operation can prevent many
lccidents, the fatal accident record
n rainy weather and when snow
vas failing was better last year
han the average for all accidents
In clear weather, how
ver, the ratio of fatal accidents to
Otal accidents under such cOndi-
ions was worse than the average.
IN wet. snowy and icy road sur
aces the fatal accident experience
as better than on dry road sur
aces. thus supporting the conten-
ION that many drivers are put off
ieir guard by apparently safe con-
itiOns.
An examination of the automobile
ccident experience during the year
II the basis of the direction of
-avel brings out the Importance of
rivers keeping speed under con-
'ol. Only when the direction of
'avel was straight ahead was the -:
ate of death per accident greater
IAN the average for all accidents
When cars were slowing
own or stopping, where the ele-
ent of speed was the least hazard
Is. the rate of death per accident
as the lowest. 60 per cent under
le average.