Evening star., 1940-01-01
One Life Saved


A-12 and Alb a detailed summary
of the citys traffic record for the
past year. 1t is not record in which
great pride can be taken, although
the number of deaths is eighty-fve
as compared with eighty-siX in 1888.
Saving that one life undoubtedly JUS
titles the tremendous amount of CO.
operative effort which was expended
throughout 1899 to make the streets
of the city safer, but the cold figures
demonstrate conclusively how far
short of success the safety campaign
has fallen. That there has been
steady decrease from the one hun
dred and thirty-flv lives lost in 1884
is gratifying, but a wide margin for
improvement remains.
OF the 1889 total, sixty-six were
pedestrians. Most of these were
struck down crossing between inter-
sections. OF all drivers involved,
sixty-nine were found blameless and
twelve cases still are pending.
One of the surveys most striking
showings is that while officials have
made only sporadic attempts to en-
force pedestrian protection regula-
tions outside the congested down.
town section, all but seven of those
fatally injured were struck down
outside the congested area. This
bears out strongly the contention,
which was opposed by many citizens
and some officials when the pedes-
trian regulations were under con-
sideration, that the greatest danger
lies on the busy streets between the
congested district and the quiet resi-
Dental areas from two to three miles
away.
Interesting also is the diSproof of
a popular fallacy as regards taxicabs.
The Star has urged the limitation of
taxicabs not only to relieve the con-
gestion caused by cruising, but to
better the economic relationship of
remaining cabs in the public inter-
est. However, from a safety view
point, cabs have the best record of
any class of vehicles. In 1899 they
were involved in only two fatalities,
far less in proportion to their num-
bers than other means of transpor-
tation. On the other hand, streetcars
and buses were involved in eight
deaths, the greatest number pro rata
of all types of conveyances
Conclusions to be drawn from The
Stars survey are simple and direct.
They are conclusions which have
been urged before, but the record is
one which makes their accomplish
ment at the earliest moment inpera-
tive if the city's accident toll is TO be
brought within reasonable bounds.
There must be a continued, constant
and intelligent educational campaign
carried on by all means available.
More safety aids must be provided
for pedestrians, principally through
the installation of walk lights and
additional safety islands on wide
streets. Broader planning must be
carried out including a modern, ac-
curate system for the investigation
of all accidents, more stringent
regulations for the issuance of
drivers permits, and a concentration
of engineering aids in the belt sur
rounding the business district.
Greater enforcement efforts must
be made, particularly in areas where
accidents are known to be most fire.
quent, and they must apply with
particular reference to the pedes-
trian regulations. Judges of the
Police Court could contribute large
ly by adopting procedure of greater
uniformity, and by handling all traf-
fic cases involving basic safety in a
manner less routine.
A broad field for improvement lies
ahead of the officials of the District.
Each citizen has the opportunity to
assist in making the streets safe,
but primarily the Commissioners,
the Traffic Department, police, and
the courts must lead the way. Every
person using the public thorough
fares must be strongly impressed
with the fact that it is unsafe to
disregard safety.