Evening star., 1938-02-06

American Road Builders Association
presented at the associations recent
35th annual convention aid road show
in Cleveland, Ohio.
The committee, group of pronli-
nent State traffic, highway and light
ing officials headed by Motor Vehicle
Commissioner Michael A. Connor Of
Connecticut, recommended that the
association advocate increased illuni-
nation on heavy traffic highways con-
meeting cities, on new highways where
there is heavy traffic expectancy
and on five or more mile stretches in
other sections Of populous States
where traffic and accident records
indicate lighting would prove benefl-
cial.
Accident statistics universally show
greater property damage, a greater
number OF more serious personal inju-
rles and a far greater number of
deaths in night accidents than in an
equal number of day accidents. the
committee pointed out On the heav-
lily Travelled and hazardous highways,
as on urban thoroughfares, the traffic
conditions are such that fixed high
way safety lighting offers the only
practical and effective means of pro-
Vldlng adequate visibility for safety
at night at nominal cost Although
these highways comprise but a very
small percentage of the total highway
mileage, records show that substan-
tlal majority of rural night accidents
occur on them.
Examples Of reduction of the night
accident rate by highway illurina-
ton were cited by the committee.
which referred to a study made by
Arnold H. Way, traffic engineer of the
State of New Jersey. Mr. Way ana
lyzed night and day accidents on a
Well-lighted. heavily travelled section
and on less heavily travelled and un-
lighted road. On the former section.
the accident rate per million vehicle
miles was $40 by day and 2 81 by night.
On the unlghted road the average ac-
cldent rate was $50 by DAY and BY
night. A similar study of the Mount
Vernon Memorial highway showed a
2oO per cent increase IN the night ac-
cldent rate with the lights out of
service, as compared with the rate for
an equal period with the lights in
service.
The committee further emphasized
the fact that many motorists fear
night driving. This increase in public
appreciation Of the fact that night
driving is more hazardous than day
driving tends TO increase traffic con-
gestion during the daytime.
II all the suggestions given the men
who design automobiles by the officials
who administer State vehicle laws
were to be incorporated in next Years
models, the cars would contrast
sharply with the current types. ac-
cording to an Associated Press report
from Detroit.
The motor vehicle administrators
are far from unanimous in their criti-
clSms and suggestions, but they ap-
pear to be closer to general agree
ment on the thought that too much
speed currently is available to drivers
Of varying physical and mental equip
ment.
proponents Of the rear-engined mo-
tor car found much cause for comfort
in the statement of one administrator
that elimination of the automobile
hood and the placing Of the drivers
seat at the very front of the We
hicle would bring about change in
driving technique that would result in
reduction Of accidents.
Visibility from the drivers seat was
emphasized by many of the State au-
thorltles as most important factor
IN safe operation Of the motor vehicle.
Some comments We're that the present
seat is too low for some drivers. that
the hood is too high. that corner posts
obScured vision and that the operators
seat should be adjustable for height
as well as forward and backward.
Charles A. Harnett. New Yoyk's
commissioner OF motor vehicles,
pointed out that no two persons are
built exactly alike We are tall and
short. fat and thin. Yet. except for
the fact that in some cases the drivers
seat can be moved backward ana for
ward to accommodate variations IN
the Waistline, nearly all drivers, tail
and short. are required TO adapt them
selves to the same driving seat con-
ditions"