Evening star., 1941-04-06
BY J. B. ZATMAN.


In highway hazards brought
sands of defense workers. al-out effort necessary
the National Capital to duplicate 1941 its 1910
OF winning the National Safety Council
city in the United States with than 900 population
Traffic Director William A. Van Duzer estimates there
are now at least 10000 automobiles III Washington than
there were six months Housing officials say $4,000
have been added population
This commensurate increase in the likelihood
OF traffic accidents involving both motorists pedestrians.
According to the National Safety Council nearly the
increase in Americas traffic this year caused
by increased traffic congestion due to national defense
In addition, the Colorado Safety Council maintains the
world crisis causing automobile deaths because many
Americans have emotionally
easily upset while at the wheel or crossing streets.
Toll Would Make Up Army Division.
Furthermore, it is pointed out that in 1910 accident
deaths in the seectve service brackets t2
to 35 otaled approximately 4ooowich means that men
enough to compose full Army dvonded needlessly on
the Nations highways.
In Washington during the quarter of 1e41 II
than half the 81 persons killed might be alive today they
had obeyed laws intended to protect them.
Nine of the II were struck down by moving vehicles as
they crossing street at point other than
walk And of these nne three stepped out from between
parked The other victims
ing intersections against red lights just before they were
fatally injured.
During similar period 94O eight of the 16 persons
who lost their lives in traffic crossing street at some
point other than croSswak and two were crossing against
red light
The increased danger facing pedestrian who
street outside of croswak cited recently in Police
Court growing out of pedestrian charged with reckless
walking
is Increased so Per Cent
Such practice it emphasized gives a pedestrian
per greater of being killed than if he she
were crossing at intersection Incidentally this particular
pedestrian went before the court after recovering from
struck automobile after stepping
from between two parked
In his argument against the pedestrian Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Edward W. Thomas who was prosecuting
the declared:
"Streets which include roadwayS sidewalks are
exclusively for vehicle traffic. pedestrian may lawfully
same but in doing must exercise due The motors
entitled the assumption that pedestrians will
roadways at other than the designated crossings"
The fact that pedestrians than IS years of
comprised onehird of the total fatalities during the first
months of 94 again emphasizes the fact that elderly
eight times likely to be involved fatal accidents
those 25 years age.
These older people" Mr. Van Duzen said yesterday
cant realize what terrific increase there has been
In motor vehicles in the District during the past few
Right now" he went there about 10000 auto
mobiles Washington compared with approx
mately 10000 five years
After ALL person in his mind would walk in front
of moving locomotive. Yet we can't seem to make older
pedestrians realize that moving automobile truck has
just a much lethal power"
January Darkest Month a 13 Die
Darkest month thus far this year. far traffic deaths
January with toll of 13. This figure
duplicated that of December 1910 has precipitaed
demands civic and safety for something
to be done to reduce the increasing traffic death rate IN the
city.
Principal criticism has been directed at the relatively
small number of traffic policemen here compared with
cities of comparable size
The American Automobile Association, the Washington
Board of Trade the Traffic Advisory Council and the Key
stone Automobile Club Others have pointed out that
there only 74 policemen assigned to traffic in the District
whereas cities having population similar to that of the
National Capital have than $50 traffic policemen.
In addition the Traffic Advisory Council has advocated
establishment of Citizens Traffic Education Committee to
report moving traffic violations.
Realizing that traffic fatalities closely related to
motoring congestion the traffic subcommittee of the House
District Committee under the leadership of Representative
Schultz Democrat of Indiana last month launched
of steps to be taken to cure the ctys traffic ills
Among the solutions offered by the group construc
ton of of subwas elevated roads to cost much
00000 hundred additional traffic officers for the
Police Department; special survey with view to pro-
vdng adequate street parking facties mandatory jail
of from to days for motorists found guilty
of driving go miles hour and refining of traffic
lights to make the flow Of traffic smoother.
D. c. Highway Survey Still Under Way
Another survey be completed that sponsored
Jointly by the District Highway Department and the Federal
Administration which begun last winter
construction of several grade
separations cOngesed points in the District and possibly
one or two major bridge projects.
Meanwhile system of staggered hours for Federal en-
ployes long advocated Traffic Director Van Duzer was
put in order to spread the number OF
Government coming into town longer period
of time during the morning and afternoon rush hours
traffic hazards at night were seen In the fact
that the fatalities during the first quarter this year
OF the IA, II killed between pm
and pm.
AS method of cutting down the high percentage of
after-dark fatalities police and traffic officials have urged
that something white when the streets
Tests have demonstrated that in dark clothing at 100