Montana labor news., 1945-03-29
POLICE Xxi CHECK
PROGRAM BEGINS

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conditions. and more drivers, in spite Of
rigid gasoline restrictions, are getting
their cars back on the road again, the
police of the nation are launching their
nationwide automobile brake-check pro
gram, which will extend from April IS
to June l..
Under the guidance Of the Interna-
tional Association of Chiefs Of Police,
and supported by nearly 100 Of the out
standing traffic and safety organiza-
lions in the country, the police planned
the brake-check program many months
ago.
Since the police knew that faulty
brakes were a contributing factor in the
cause Of nearly all motor vehicle acct
dents, they decided to place emphasis
on the checking of brakes in order to
focus public attention on the need for
maintaining a high degree of care Of the
general mechanical condition Of auto
mobiles.
The plan was instituted in Michigan
in 1914, and carried on intensively for
two months. Results were better than
gratifying, for during the first month
traffic accidents fell 80 per cent under
the figure for the corresponding period
in the previous year. The second month
Of the program was almost equally ef-
f%ective, as there was a 81 per cent re-
duction il deaths. In the third month
when the program no longer was in force
there was a carry-over reduction OF IS
per cent. 1t was deemed significant, too,
that when the Michigan program start
ed, one in every seven cars failed to
meet the brake check. At its close. only
one car in % was found to have made
quate brakes. The Michigan program
resulted in saving many lives, conserv-
ing automobiles that are vital to effec-
tive wartime transportation, and pre-
venting the loss Of inestimable amounts
Of money.
With the Michigan figures before
them, police determined to broaden the
scope of the program to a national eff
fort.
The period from April is to June i
was deliberately chosen, as it is during
this period OF the year that there is
usually a sharp increase in motor We
hicle accidents.
1t is true that pre-war pleasure driv-
ing has become wartime essential driv-
ing. Drivers think twice before their
cars come out Of the garage, and only
the essential trips are made. Neverthe-
less the accident hazard still is present.
In 1914 nearly $4,000 persons lost their
lives in motor vehicle accidents. In the
same period, 100000 persons were in
iured, 10000 of these sustaining some
form Of permanent disability.
It is to curb this accident rate, and to
conserve the existing supply Of passenger
cars that the police are undertaking
their program.
Early accident statistic for l945 show
a reduction in traffic fatalities, but
there are 100000 fewer cars registered
this year than there we're in 1914. This
more than c-ompensates for the reduc-
ton in fatalities. In 1914 the accident
fatality rate per hundred million miles
Of travel was slightly higher than it was
in 1913. Figures available for the first
month of the current year, while not to
be considered a definite indication Of a
l945 trend, again show a slight increase
over 1914. Highway traffic safety agen-
cies are bending every effort to reducing
these figures. Public education in safe
driving and in keeping cars in safe OPP
Grating condition will achieve tbs re-
suit, in the opinion of experts.
National thinking already has swung
sharply toward the need for conserving
cars. Emphasis is being placed on this
fact in the national advertising and pub
lie relations campaigns Of countless in
dustries and trade associations. Con-
tinuing stress on the subject is now
bringing the realization that the present
passenger automobiles must last for the
duration Of the var
When the war is ended, new cars VIII
be manufactured. But the average citi-
zen may well have to wait for many
months before his order for a new au-
tomobile can be filled.
The police brake-check program o
has been embraced in Canada. Several
Of the provinces will conduct brake
checks for Canadian motorists through
both the provincial police and the Royal
Northwest Mounted Police.
Numerous enterprises In the United
: States and Canada are giving their full
support to the program, thus assuring
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