Evening star., 1937-03-06
By Lucy Salamanca.
MrR1cA l. is annarent is uak

WOflQ goes q TOll call OF u6dlN-LIldG
every vehicle turned out from hum
ming factories as evidence OF our
kingship in the motor world is po-
tential menace, in inexpert or careless
hands, to the life and limb of our cit
izenry. Year by year the appalling
total has mounted. and it is only in
more or less recent times that Nation
soothed into leth. rgy with the self
appreciation of mechanical progress
has been jolted into an uncomfortable
realization of exactly what is taking
place on the other side of the ledger.
There manned bodies, shattered
minds. premature. sudden and violent
deaths have exacted toll appalling in
extent. On the basis of available fig
ureS. if the trend were allowed to con-
tinue we could record with certainty
as many as $4,000 deaths by motor
accident and at least 100000 in
lured within the next 10 years, Like
wise. if present conditions continue
conservative estimates indicate that
II out of every 100 high school stu
dents will be injured at some time dur
ing their lives. This compilation is
based on the fact that in the first
eight months of 1885 As per cent
more BOYS and girls of high school age
were killed than in the corresponding
months of 1885, although the number
of adult fatalities was 3.5 per cent less
In 1886 than recorded for the preceding
year.
This decrease in adult fatalities is
ENCOURAGING, for it is an indication
that accidents are and can be prevent
ed by a campaign of education in
safety methods, traffic regulations and
the fundamentals of good driving, and
that when the public itself is aroused
10 the vital need for action. results are
achieved. For example, this year the
number of fatal accidents on the high
WAYS has been held, for the first time
In a decade, at an even level with the
number of last year-about 1000 IN
round numbers And credit is due In
great measure to the efforts and re-
suits achieved by the combined activi-
ties of accident prevention, safety and
traffic education councils growing out
of the Nation. wide realization, at the
close of 1885. that something had - be
done, and quickly, to combat the trend.
A MASS attack on the problem has
now been under way for about
year under the Accident Prevention
Conference of the Department of Com
merce, and in the last few weeks this
body has been holding conferences in
WASHINGTON and hearing the reports
of committee members who have been
working assiduously in the 48 States
of the Union to bring about higher
standard of motor regulatory legisla-
ton.
The Committee on Uniform Traffic
Regulations, under the Craftsmanship
of Emmet ONeal of Louisville, KY,
inaugurated the campaign in 1885,
first, to obtain standard drivers L.
cense laws in the II States now with
out them: second, to obtain amend
ments In the laws Of is "substandard'
States, to bring their motor acts more
nearly in line with the provisions OF
uniform code, and third, to obtain
higher degree of enforcement in
81 standard" States.
This committee caused an analysis
10 be made of the motor laws Of all
States. They named an official con-
tact man" in each State and invited
the Governors to appoint Governors
committee in each State to make
study of that States motor laws as
compared with the summary of all
the States to determine what amend
ments or additional laws would, in
their judgment, be advisable, and TO
prepare, present and secure passage
OF the recommended changes. To
give the States more comprehensive
picture of the situation and possibly
obtain a better understanding of the
goal to be achieved and exchange
ideas with respect to it the appointed
contact men" from the various States
met in the Capital early in October,
1895. and outlined the steps to be
taken.
ON THE first day of February, 1887,
the various State committees.
again meeting in Washington. had
come interesting data to disclose with
respect to the progress made and
prospects for the future.
Ir Florida the Governor has recon-
mended the drivers license bill and
what is known as the financial re-
sponsibility act and the measures have
been made part of the administration
program, with the almost unanimous
support Of all civic organizations. In
addition to this an aggressive educa-
tional campaign has been conducted
throughout the State.
In Georgia all previous efforts to
obtain drivers license act had failed
because of rural opposition. But the
contact man for the Committee on
Uniform Traffic Regulation succeeded
In enlisting the support of the new
State administration for better safety
laws. The rural sections of Georgia
we're completely organized in support
Of strengthened legislation, while
chambers of commerce of the larger
cities, which had previously supported
defeated measures, are giving support
In Illinois in November of last year
Z representative of the committee
secured the promise OF Gov. Horner
support for the drivers license law
and financial responsibility act, to the
end that the completed bill is now
ready for introduction and ready for
committee hearings the latter part Of
this month. Indications" says the
committee, "are good for passage, but
action may be deferred until the end
Of the session, which may run into
June"
IN LOUISIANA, where the Legisla-
L ture does not meet this year, an
educational campaign is under way IN
preparation for 1888. Also in MiSsis-
sippi, where the Legislature does not
meet in 1887, the foundation is being
laid for organization for action in
1888
Under former Gov. Park. in Mis-