Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-07-04
Typical District
Traffic Victim
Elderly Man
Composite Shows
Pedestrian Hit
After Dark

A spectral image, "Washington's
typical traffic victim" arose today
from study of the Al accidents in
which men, women and children
killed here in the first half of 1889.
Statistics to the end of June include
one more person than in the same
six-month period of last year despite
determined safety drive.
The typical traffic victim is a
gray-haired man. The figures show
he is male, because only eight of
this years casualties have been
women. He is gray haired, since
those who died in accidents were
largely concentrated in the age
group above go.
He met his death in the evening,
about $50. Calculations show that
most accidents occurred between 6
and II pm.
This elderly Washingtonian was
not driving car himSelf-he was
crossing the street against the
lights or in the middle of the block
or stepping too quickly out of a
safety zone. Almost hree-fourths
OF those who suffered fatal injuries
were pedestrians Of the rest, two
were riding bicycles, one was astride
a motor cycle, and another was rid
ing on the fender of District
garbage truck.
Speed Not Excessive.
The car that hit the typical vic
tim was a pleasure car. a sedan,
coupe, or coach, and it was travel
ing at no more than 20 miles an
hour according to the best testi-
mony that could be obtained. Eight
trucks, four street cars, a bus and
a taxi have also been involved in
the half years fatal accidents. In
only four cases was considerable
evidence introduced that the vehi-
Gle was going at excessive speed.
In the typical accident darkness
had gathered, but the sky wa clear
and the pavements dry. In just Is
cases was the pavement wet or icy.
When the coroner and his jury
met they decided that in spite of
the fact that the typical victim may
have been grossly careless. they
must legally declare the death to
have been accidental" During the
last six months % cases have been
declared such, II drivers have been
hold fnr DN1iaa
the Negligent Homicide Act, and
three drivers in serious cases have
been held for grand jury action.
Only Two Children Killed.
Statistics do not easily assign a
date for the typical fatal accident.
January was the most dangerous
month, with 10 fatalities. In Feb
ruary the score dropped suddenly
to three. In March it went up to
six, in April to nine. May claimed
only two and June four. The re-
manning deaths were the final re-
suit of injuries sustained in 1888.
The vigorous campaign to keep
children off the dangerous streets
has apparently succeeded to some
extent, for only two children under
10 years were killed. The figures
for other age groups follow: From
10 to 10, four fatalities; 20 to 20,
two; 80 to 80, three; 40 to 40, six;
so to SO, one; so to SO, eight; 70 to
10, ten. and from 80 to 80, two.
Through the morning hours acct
dents have been sparsely scattered.
but after pm. they rose in an un-
evenly ascending tide until 10
o'clock. From 2 to pm. there
were two fatalities; from to 4
pm, three; from to 5 pm. one;
from to pm, two; from to 7
pm, four; from to 8 pm. four;
from to pm, five, and from to
10 pm, six. During the next hour
the toll dropped again to four, and
after II o'cock there were none at
all.
Brakes were proved defective In
only three cases. and there was
indication of drinking on the part
of either victim or driver of the
vehicle in less than half a dozen
instances.