Evening star., 1937-12-26
By G. adams HOward.

THIS week the New Year will be
ushered in with all its attend
ant good resolutions and hopes
a of fulflllment Certainly among
the most important wishes to result
In 1898 is sharp drop in traffic ia
taNties throughout the Nation and
especially in the National Capital.
A resolution is in order, and one
made with every intention of keeping
by motorists and pedestrians alike that
they will do everything in their power
to make the streets and highways safe
Driving or walking at random will
have to cease. Care!essness must he
eliminated
Washingtons record is not the worst
but it is bad enough, despite the in
creased use Of the streets evidenced
by greater motor car registration and
population increase. The fatality toll
probably will show or per cent
increase over last year. Use of the
streets has advanced more in propor-
ton. However, we are not getting
anywhere.
The fact that 100 or more lives have
been snuffed out here during 1897
presents an appalling picture. Devious
ways have been proposed to aid the
situation, but the responsibility lies
primarily on the individual. Traffic
regulations of the greatest severity can
be adopted, but will do little good un-
less the users of the streets themselves
realize what constitutes care and cau-
ton.
No one can get along in business
without thinking. In traffic, thinking
Is even more important. Often it is
necessary to live Think!
Christmas has Just passed The
holiday season is with US. With this
In mind the Executive Committee of
the National Safety Council, with
headquarters in Chicago, has brought
out the following facts and figures
about the carnage on the streets and
highways of the United States:
Exactly 1920 American men, women
and children were killed in the month
Of December, 1864 larger toll of
life than American forces suffered in
the Revolutionary War.
More persons were killed in United
States traffic accidents in December,
1886. than for the entire year of 1913
December-the month we celebrate
the biggest holiday of the year-pro-
duced more traffic deaths in 1886 than
any other month since the automobile
first appeared on our streets and high
ways.
Nearly twice as many persons were
killed in traffic accidents in Decem-
ber, 1886, as were drowned in the
Johnstown flood of 1889
Christmas is one of the most joy
Gus occasions of the year, yet in
December, 1886, nearly 4,300 persons
were killed and 10000 others injured
permanently or temporarily in United
States traffic accidents.
Nearly one-sixth of all persons who
lost their lives in motor vehicle accl-
dents in Detroit last year were killed
IN the month of December One
seventh of all Cleveland traffic vic
TINS died in the Christmas month
The Christmas holiday season pro-
duces traffic hazards peculiar to this
time of year. The streets and high
ways are dangerously slick with ice,
fog, rain, snow, sleet and fewer hours
of daylight reduce the visibility of
both the driver and pedestrian. The
hurry and hustle of shoppers adds
further traf1lc hazards and a general
feeling Of good will and holiday
indulgence has a tendency to lower
the bars of caution. These factors
combined in December, 1886, to cause
an all-time high for a monthly traffic
death toll of 1920 victims-340 more
than the next highest month of 1886.
Because of the above facts the
Executive Committee of the council
has adopted the following resolution
Whereas each Christmas season a
vast number of American citizens are
slaughtered by traffic on the streets
and highways, and
Whereas last December this human
toll reached the terrifying total of
4,290-more Americans than we're
killed in the Revolutionary War, and
Whereas this Christmas carnage
Is turning the holiday season from
period Of peace on earth and good
will to men into one of tragedy and
suffering and sorrow, and
Whereas it is inevitable that the
hurry and hustle of holiday activities;