Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-06-03

"Save lives instead of seconds ~
Those are five little words that
carry a vital message for every
Montana motorist and provide a
safety slogan for the state highway
patrol in its efforts to further re-
duce the death toll on Montana
highways this year. Organized
by state Legislative act back in
1885, the Montana highway patrol
Is now recognized as a highly efficient
laW-enforcing agency which concerns
itself not only in reducing road fatali-
ties but also in preventing hundreds of
minor motor miShapS which needless
~ occur on the states highways each
year.
Accident prevention, the state patrol
force has learned, is more than a mat
ter of educating the everyday motor
ist to observe a few simple driving
regulations, although the patrols edu-
cattonal program has brought wide
spread results. Vigilance, strict en-
forcement Of existing traffic laws,
close patrol of highways and periodi-
cal inspections of machines for me-
chanical defects are important factors
in holding down the accident rate IN
an age when speed is the by-word
along thousands of miles of improved
roadways.
Speed Greatest Hazard
Lou G. Boedecker state highway pa
troll supervisor, emphasizes speed as
the greatest road hazard. I'VE are con-
stantly in a hurry to get somewhere
when there Is no need for it" he said.
I'VE should try to save lives-instead
of seconds"
The effectiveness of the state
patrols highway safety program is
nowhere better illustrated than in the
the last few years.
In 1884, year prior to the organi-
cation of the patrol, Montana re-
corded total Of 214 deaths as the
result Of highway accidents. The death
rate decreased In succeeding years as
the efficiency of the newly-formed pa
troll grew, until in 1888 road fatali-
ties dropped to a low of 143 deaths.
This was brought about despite the
increase in the number of motor We
hicles using the highways.
But the states death rate Is still
too high, says Supervisor Boedecker, |
who believes that his IS patrolmen OPP /
Grating in all districts Of Montana !
viii be able to further reduce the list |
Of fatalities this year If the motoring |
public again will cooperate in a state |
wide safety campaign.
Has Bigger Stick"
The state patrol will WELD "a bigger |
stick" this year in enforcement Of |
traffic regulations through provisions |
If new Montana accident reporting |
aw which will go into effect July l. |
Here, again, the cooperation of the !
public is sought in making |
,he new law an effective measure in /
accident control.
This law will require written reports
10 be submitted to the highway patrol
on all accidents involving
ieath or injury to any person or total
damage estimated at SOS or
more. Provisions of the act also will
'equire motor vehicle operators who
become involved in a collision with q
econd vehicle or any highway fix
7ure or obstacle to stop Immediately, |.
rive assistance If necessary and to
ubrnit report on the accident.
Proper accident report forms will be
provided by the state highway patrol
md will be distributed to police de-
,artmentS coroners, sheriffS, garages
md other public agencies about the
tate, where they may be obtained
aSily to facilitate the accident report
A8 0JobNAAAs NfQ0AADy AbACOf OUG4
IS coroners and sheriffs, will be re-
Iuired under the new law to make
monthly reports on fatal accidents oc-
urring within their jurisdiction. The
Measure further provides that If cities
o desire they may set up accident re-
'orting systems.
Garages in the state also viii be
equtred under the law to report to
he state highway patrol within "A
lours the ownership, license number
nd engine number Of any motor We
icle driven into their establishment
howing evidences Of having been IN
olved in an accident or struck by
'ullet.
The state patrol also is now au-
horized to make arrests within cities
nd towns of less than $500 inhabi-
ants for crimes over which It has
This authority was given
n an amendment to a previous law
dopted at the last legislative session.