Evening star., 1938-07-04
RESEARCH FINDS
FLAWS IN SAFETY
Analysis Cites Factors That
Lead to Auto Traffic Deaths
and Maimings.

| Va oApoAho0iC ANOioCuO pICvCntlOu NIlO
analysis Of the outstanding causes OF
accidents In this country. The points
are set forth in 4 pamphlet recently
published under the aegis Of the
Department OF Agriculture's Bureau
of Public Roads.
The data collected Is intended to
guide authorities and legislators in
setting forth future policies of safe
tramc control. 1t is also designed
to inform the public Of the underlying
factors governing serious and fatal
motor accidents in this country and
thereby to educate the average driver
to an awareness OF road hazards.
Uniformity Lacking.
In summary. the principal findings
of the investigators were:
Il. Despite recent improvement re-
sulting from partial adoption OF the
vehicle code recommended by the Ma
/ tional Conference on Street and
Highway Safety, there Is still an utter
lack Of uniformity in essential fea-
lures OF motor vehicle and highway
law among the several States.
This finding is supported by
thorough and detailed analysis Of State
laws, by study of State accident re-
porting. and by other studies in which
State records were used as a basis.
1t is supported also by a study OF
highway patrol organizat ton and ad-
ministration. and an investigation of
State requirements as to motor ve-
hicle inspection.
2. There is an undesira BILE varia-
ton in the methods of recording and
analyzing accident data.
This finding is supported by studies
OF accident reporting methods. by 4
detailed study OF accident case his
tories, and by other studies requiring
the use Of State accident data.
g. Accidents do not result from
single causes but from combination
OF contributing causes
Studies based on detailed examina-
tions of accident case histories showed
an average of at least three important
contributing causes for each accident.
Many Drivers Accident-Free.
a, There is a relatively small group
OF definitely accident-prone drivers
who experience relatively large num-
Der of accidents. There is also a large
group Of definitely accident free driv.
erS.
This has been a controversial issue
haratnfnrc ct,
analysis of the best available material
from previous research point conclu-
sively to the existence of these classes
Of drivers
3. Drivers in the age group of l6
to Is years have a disproportionate
share of fatal and personal injury &C.
cidents.
This finding is supported by studies
OF accident data from several States.
Is. Disciplining and control of de-
linQuent drivers is in many instances
strikingly deficient.
This finding is supported by study
OF case histories of over LOO fatal
accidents; also by evidence of made
quate highway policing and uncertain
dCClocAG reporting.
-. Highway police organiza tions.
even though the personnel is efficient
and conscientious in the performance
OF its duties. are usually so small and
so occupied with other duties as to be
unable to operate effectively in motor
vehicle law enforcement or accident
prevention.
This finding is supported by gen.
eral study Of State highway pa troll
personnel and duties, and by q spe.
cial study of highway policing in 4
single State.
Maintenance Neglected.
g. The limited compulsory inspec-
tions required in some States disclose
a high percentage Of improperly ad-
justed or inadequately maintained mo-
tor vehicles
This is supported by brief survey
Of data from Is States.
%. Highway engineers are thorough
ly aware of their obligations, and are
doing all that is possible with avail
able funds to build safe highways and
reconstruct those that are unsafe.
"A study Of modern highway design
supports this statement"
The report recommends that appro-
pirate steps be taken to effect greater
uniformity OF motor vehicle and traf-
nc law, especially in essential details,
pointing out that diverse traffic rules
often make unsafe or law-brea king
drivers out Of those who are travelling
from one State to another and are
aware of only their home regulations
1t also urges rigid license examinations
under uniform laws more complete
accident reports in all States, inspec-
ton OF vehicles to insure that faulty
ones are not operated on the high
ways, and a uniform system Of acci-
dent analysis in order to fix the facts
regarding all accidents involving per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Patrol Expansion Held Necessary.
Expansion OF highway patrol activi-
ties Is another necessity in a truly CO.
ordinated safety program, the report
states. and in order TO achieve that
aim larger forces must be put in
action. The report specifically says
that 1t does not intend to criticize
present highway patrol personnel, but
wishes to make it clear that in many
instances small forces are attempting
to cover huge territories, a fact detri-
mental to safety.
AS minor aspects of motor vehicle
control. the report goes into such SUBJ
jects as registration of cars, certificate
Of title and anti-theft provisions. limi-
tation of hours Of service for drivers