Evening star., 1939-06-08
Traffic Fatalities
Lead. Decline in
Accidental Deaths
10000 Persons Killed
In All Types Of Mishops.
Sofety Council Says
BY the Associated Press.

ny tHc hSSOSldtcu TEcSS
CHICAGO, June 8.-Accidental
deaths in the Nation during 1898
were reduced by 1000, with traf1ic
reductions setting the pace in the
decline, the National Safety Coun-
Gil reported today.
The council said there were 10000
persons killed in all types of acci-
dents. That represented a 10 per
cent drop from the 1887 figure, or
the biggest reduction ever achieved
in single year.
Traffic safety measures were cred
tied with saving 1900 lives in 1888
Traf1ic fatalities were reduced 10 per
cent. Until 1898 trafflc deaths had
increased steadily year to year ex-
cept in 1892
There was a 13 per cent reduc-
ton in occupational deaths, an 8
per cent cut in deaths from public
accidents not involving motor We
hicles and per cent drop in fatal
home accidents in 1898.
32,40e Killed in Traffic.
Despite the 18 per cent decline
traffic deaths totaled 80 400. In addi-
'tion l,150,000 motorists suffered nom
fatal injuries. The council said the
cost of automobile deaths, injuries
and property damage was estimated
at $500 100000.
! r. l.. Forney, the councils chief
statistician, said the 1888 record for
traffic accidents demonstrates that
preventing traffic accidents through
out the Nation is not hopeless
| task
If the fatal-accident rate per mil
lion miles of travel had been as
high in 1888 as in 1925 the death
total last year would have been
| $500 greater than it was, Mr.. For
ney said.
| Accidents in the home caused 81
500 deaths, while deaths in public
accidents not involving motor We
hicles totaled 16,5OO. There were
l6500 occupational fatalities.
Deaths from falls numbered 26,-
700 and two-thirds of them occurred
from falls in homes. Drownings
numbered about $500 and fatal
burns 7.400.
Rail Accidents Lowest.
The council said the 4,879 deaths
in railroad accidents during 1898
marked the lowest total on record.
Air transportation also had fewer
fatalities during the year. Despite
II per cent increase in passenger
miles, commercial airlines reported
38 per cent fewer passenger fatali-
ties. Based on passenger mileage
the death rate was As per cent be-
low that of 1890
Deaths from work accidents or
farms numbered about 1900 in 1898
No other single industry had as
many fatal work accidents.
July. August and December are
the months to beware of, the coun-
Gil said. July and August are the
high months of the year for acci.
dental deaths among children under
5. July is high for the to IA and Il
to IS year age groups. Among per-
sons over 25, however, December i.
the month with the highest Incl.
dence of accidental deaths.
Roy Graham, colored, 81, o1
of Brandywine, Md, died in Provi.
dence Hospital early today from in.
juries received in a Southern Mary.
land automobile accident on Sat.
urday.
He was hurt when an automobile
in which he was riding and a truck
collided on the Bryantown road, ir
Charles County.
Marion Tucker, 30, of Adamstown
Md, suffered serious cuts about
the head and body today when
an automobile he was driving hit
pole on the Four Corners
Wheaton road and overturned. Mr.
Tucker, who was alone, was taker
to the Washington Sanitarium anc
Hospital, in Takoma Park, by 9
passing motorist.