Evening star., 1943-01-01
1912 D. c. Traffic Takes 1O9 Lives

the highest since 1885, when 113
persons were killed in accidents
here, a year-end review by the De-
partment Of Vehicles and TrafIic
showed today.
Washington's increase in deaths
has been partially attributed to the
upturn In population here. Else
where in the Nation traffic tolls fell
during the year, due in part to war
time travel restrictions.
For the Department of Traffic and
Vehicles it was one of the busiest
years In its history.
A variety of intricate problems
developed shortly after the first OF
the year with freezing" orders
against the sale of tires and new
automobiles, and later gasoline ra-
tioning and instructions to limit all
travel to essential needs.
Traffic Director William A. Van
Duzer, who became local admins
traitor of defense transportation,
and his staff were faced with the
job Of re-gearing traff1c-control ma
chinery to wartime tempo.
Decline Began in May.
TrafIic volume showed no decrease
until May-actually there was a 3
per cent increase over the year be-
fore in April-when a gradual traffic
decline began resulting in the pres
ent estimated reduction of % per
cent below 194l.
However, at the same time, the
city's population increased by an es-
timated 20 per cent and pedestrian
trafiic lowered approximately 80 per
cent over the year before. The
growing problem of pedestrian traf-
nc resulted in safety program for
the duration, inaugurated in June
by the Commissioners Traffic Ad-
visory Council and Mr.. Van Duzer.
Except for fatal accidents. Wash
ington's overall traffic safety i'm
proved greatly during 1912
In December 20, accidents OF all
types showed 274 per cent reduc-
tion over the year before and per-
sonal injuries dropped 1928 per cent.
Comparison of Accidents.
Total accidents. for 1912 as COM
pared with 1941 were: LOT deaths as
compared with 95 the previous year,
4,l97 personal injuries as compared
with 4,765 the previous year, 7,846
personal property damage as COM
pared with 11,441 the previous year
1902 total accidents as compared
with 1857 the previous year.
AS of December 20, streetcars and
buses were involved in 20 more fatal
accidents than during 1941
The records show in total acci-
dents: % streetcar- pedestrian as
compared with nine the year before,
eight bus-pedestrian as compared
with three in 194l, two bus-auto as
compared with none in 194l, street.
car-auto one as compared with one
in l941, streetcar -streetcar one as
compared with one in 194l In total,
| streetcars were involved in "a acci-
dens as compared with II in 194l
and buses were involved in 10 acci-
dents as compared with three In
l94l.
Registration Figures.
! Although the use of private autos
was restricted to a certain extent
during the year, the registration OF
motor vehicles varied only slightly
from l941. A total of 158,022 We
hicles were registered in 1912 as
compared to 10000 in l941. Titles
| for new vehicles. however. took de-
cided dip. A total of 1,677 new titles
were issued in 1912 against a total
of 28,948 in 194l. ~ ~
Perhaps one of the biggest single
tasks undertaken by the Depart
ment of Vehicles and Traffic during
1912. was to- switch trafhc lights at
40 intersections over to "dimout"
operation for blackout periods. The
job involved complicated revision
of wiring and automatic control
systems to permit the reduction in
traffic light intensity from the nor
NAL 10 volts to ~ volts on short
notice.
Only after repeated consultations
and tests conducted with military
authorities from Fort Belvoir was
the present "dimout" method per-
fected. 1t has been lauded as one
of the finest in the country.
Devised Ways to Save.
In his capacity as defense trans
portation administrator, Mr.. Van
Duzer, working with the Regional
Committee of ODT, transit company
and Public Utilities officials, was in
strumental in devising new ways OF
saving rubber and gasoline on buses
/ and yet retaining adequate service
to the public.
! Through shortening Of routes,
eliminating some and changing
others, an estimated Is per cent re-
ductioll in annual bus mileage was
/ effected.
Extension of the stagger-hour
system in Federal and private
agencies reduced peak-hour trafic
in the mornings about per cent
and about l per cent in the after
Moons. This was accomplished in
spite of an estimated increase of
$4,000 persons entering the down.
town business section in the morn
ing rush hours and approximately
$1,000 additional persons leaving the
area in the evening peak times.
1t became apparent early in the
| year that the vast population in
crease would soon tax to the limit
Washington mass transportation
facilities. To offset this, Mr.. Van
Duzers office, acting under instruc-
tions from Commissioner John
Russell Young as United States CO.
ordinator of Civilian Defense,
launched promotion of the share
your-car" plan.
10000 Pamphlets Issued.
Neither Washingtonians nor resi-
dents of nearby suburban areas have
taken readily to the "share-car pro-
gram. The increase in passengers
per car travelling on local streets is
only slightly above 194l. More than
10000 pieces of material encourag-
ing group riding were distributed to
motorists during the year.
During 1912 plans were worked
out for the issuance of small metal
tabs with serial numbers to be at