Evening star., 1936-02-03
VIOLATIONS CAUSE
HIGH TRAFFIC TOLL.
Van Duzer Testifies as
House Members Probe
Capital Deaths.
BY JAMES e. CHINN.


comprehensive investigation to deter
mine the cause of the ever-mountlng
fatality list.
Van Duzer also warned that thou
sands of additional Government EN-"
ployes would have to be placed on the
staggered hour arrangement for re-
porting for work if congestion is to be
relieved during the rush hour periods.
Analysing e,o24 accidents in recent
years, Van Duzer pointed out that
nearly two-thirds were caused by some
infraction of the rules laid down TO
promote safety. The offenses lnclud-
ed excessive speed. failing to give right
of way, driving while intoxicated, pass
ing on the wrong side and cutting
1n."
Peak Over $4,000.
Van Duzer pointed out that 10000
Federal workers already are on the
staggered plan, but said there are
10000 others who still 60 to work at
the same hour and 40 PEI cent OF them
Use automobiles.
When the staggered plan was adopt
ed last April. Van Duzer explained, 1t
relieved the rush-hour congestion
somewhat. Since then, however. ne
declared, there has been an increase OF
10000 in the number Of Federal work.
ers in Washington.
II am afraid" he declared, that
some additional Government employees
will have to be placed on the stag
gered hour plan. OF course, the de-
partments will have to approve the
arrangement"
Cites Increased Registration.
Van Duzer gave the subcommittee
a comprehensive picture of traffic con-
ditions here, citing 100 per cent in
crease in automobile registration in
the last 10 years. and outlining the
steps taken to permit traffic to flow
safely and without undue delay.
At the outset of the hearing Chair
man Carpenter pointed out that more
persons were killed in automobile
accidents in the United States between
1920 and 1885 than the total killed
in all the wars in which this country
has been involved
CARPENTER outlined the procedures
to be followed by the subcommittee IN
its study.
Causes Sought.
"In general" he said. this investi-
cation will be devoted to study OF
the traffic problem in Washington
and will be confined largely to a de-
termination of causes of traffic acci-
dents and a dicuSsion of the best
methods which may be adopted to
bring about Improvements.
Il. Increase in registrations for
the past several years-registrations
per capita-comparisons with other
cities-non-r resident traffic-accidents
caused by non-residents.
80. Increase in number of Govern
ment employees in the District and the
relation of this increase 70 the traffic
situation in and around the triangle.
"3. The traffic flow and the relation
between the rush hour and the nom
rush hour traffic pattern-the Gordon
count-comparison with other cities.
"a. The street plan in its relation
to traffic movement. including dis
cussion of the traffic circles.
rs. The bridge situation.
"6 Lack of adequate bypass facil-
1ties for interstate traffic"
Carpenter also explained the sub
committee would consider the follow.
ing proposed remedies for reducing ac-
cidents:
Street widening, redesign of circles,
new bridges and replacement Of old
bridges, underpasses and overpasses.
street lighting, traffic surveys and
planning, regulation of pedestrian
traffic, installation of safety islands
for the protection of pedestrians, re-
examination of all drivers at end Of
renewal period. revocation and suspen-
sion of drivers permits and semi-an-
nual inspection of all. cars.
2O8,O00 Autos.
Van Duzer, the first witness, be-
gan his testimony by pointing out
that the automobile registration in
the District jumped from 100000 In
1925 to 100000 in 1895.
Emphasizing the cause of congested
conditions in the business section,
Van Duzer said 130,893 vehicles enter
this area in 12-hour period, whereas,
in Chicago, the number Of vehicles
that enter the Loop district In the
same period is 113,000
Twenty per cent Of the cars come
from outside the District" he said.
"These outsiders also are involved in
24.2 per cent of the accidents"
The traffic director brought out
there had been an increase from 65.-
600 to 10000 in the number of Gov
ernment employees here since 1888.
Van Duzer next explained that some
streets had reached saturation point
from the standpoint of traffic. He
mentioned particularly Fifteenth
street, between Pennsylvania avenue
and K street, and said Fourteenth
street had nearly reached that situa-
ton.
Carpenter asked whether there was
any relationship between congestion
and accidents. "Yes," replied Van
Duzer, "trafic congestion causes acci-
dents. The accident frequency In
creases between and pm, when
more vehicles are on the streets"
why is it low during the morning
rush hour when just as many cars
are on the streets?" inquired Car
penter.
1.-The drivers are more alert at that
time-they are rested" Van Duzer
answered.
M. o. Eldridge, assistant traffic d.
rector. sitting at Van Duzer's side,
added:
There also are more pedestrians
on the streets in the afternoon than
in the morning."
Later Van Duzer produced q chart
containing an analytical record of
0,024 traffic accidents. In 2,743 Of
these cases the causes we're not stated.
Van Duzer explained that investi-
cation showed the drivers were oper-
ating cars properly in only 1926 Of
the 9,024 cases.