Evening star., 1940-01-03
Fatal Traffic Accident Survey
By The Star Praised by Leaders
Maj. Brown Refers Analysis of Deaths
To Inspector Holmes for Study

10 Inspector nome
The study of 1899 fatal traffic ac-
cidents published Monday in The
Star was made the subject of COM
ment today in a number of letters
received from leaders engaged in ac-
tive battle with the huge traffic
problem.
Among these was communica-
ton from Police Supt. Ernest w.
Brown, who plans to refer the an
alysis to Inspector w. E. Holmes, in
charge of traffic enforcement, to aid
the Police Department in drawing
up a safety program.
Following are some of the letters:
To the Editor of the Star:
have made very careful study
of this article, and in my opinion, it
is one of the most outstanding an
alyses of the traffic situation in the
District of Columbia that has ever
been made, and sets forth clearly
the factors leading to accidents, and
particularly fatalities. 1t is my
| thought that if this could be pub
lished in booklet form for distribu-
ton. it would be most helpful, and
an educational program for both
pedestrian and motorist.
have directed Inspector w. E.
Holmes, in charge of traffic enforce
ment of the Metropolitan Police De-
partment, to make very thorough
study of this article and submit
recommendations as to a program
to be developed by the Police De-
partment in connection with the
enforcement of traffic laws and regu-,
lations and investigation of traffic
accidents during the coming year.
ERNEST w. BROWN.
Major and Superintendent of Police.
To the Editor of The Star:
Please let me express my appre-
citation for the study of 1899 traffic
accidents which appeared in The
Star January l. 1t was an ex-
haustive presentation of a most
serious problem.
The Star has been rendering a
public service for a mighty long
time. This traffic study is but one
of long list of distinguished enter
prises.
I note with interest the various
recommendations for dealing with
the problem through laws and regu-
lations. The educational service you
have been rendering, not alone with
the study but throughout the year,
is the most effective.
STYLES BRIDGES,
U. S. Senator from New Hampshire.
To the Editor of The Star:
I read with close interest the
analysis of traffic accidents in the
District of Columbia which you pub
lished in your New Year Day issue.
The showing of fact made re-
specting causes of the accidents was
most enlightening, and the material
as whole is a distinct contribution
to the cause Of greater safety.
I hope you will find it possible to
carry forward in this field during
1910. PYKE JOHNSON,
Treasurer of the Automotive
Safety Foundation.
u
To the Editor of The Star:
The newspapers as whole have,
in my opinion, been the one great
est source of emphasizing avoidable
traffic dangers and help to secure
observance by the public. I believe
that your summary and the series
"Why Must They DIE marks new
high in newspaper service to the
cause of traffic safety. I congratu-
late you and I am sure that every
one will agree that through them
The Star has been instrumental in
reducing traffic deaths and injuries.
I should like to record myself as
being in hearty agreement with Mr..
Van DuZer's recommendations for
more traffic policemen, more traflc
lights, mere permanent safety and
loading platforms, better pedestrian
protection bv the police and no
change in the speed limit, and in
equally hearty disagreement with
his recommendation that pedes-
trians be punished for crossing in
the middle of the block. Considera-
ton of such an ordinance will. I
believe, indicate its unenforcibility
because of the many absurd prac-
tices which observance would re-
quire.
It is particularly interesting to
note on the map showing the loca-
ton of the traffic fatalities during
1899 that 40 of them, or slightly
more than so per cent, occurred in
the triangle roughly bounded by
Benning road, Florida avenue and
Rock Greek on the north and west
and by the Anacostia and Potomac
Rivers on the east and south. This
Is almost all highly built-up territory.