Evening star., 1947-01-01
D. {. Traffic Accidents
Top 10000 in 1916;
Fatalities Drop 10 II

/
total past the 10000 mark for the
first time since 1941. Injuries also
approached the 1941 level.
However, there were "a fewer
fatalities than last year. Traffls
deaths totaled Y, as against 96 in
1945. SO in 1914 and 95 in 1941.
Figures for accidents and injuries
were not complete today, but totals
for IL months of the year were sub
stantially above final figures fol
1s45.
| There were 1854 accidents and
alta injuries up to December l. In
:945, the entire year produced 8,21s
accidents and 3,709 injuries. There
were 1880 accidents and 1925 in
iuries in 1914. The 194I figures
were 1876 and 4,801, respectively
Keneipp Starts Changes.
| Traffic Director George E. Keniepp
instituted reorganization of his
| department when he assumed his
duties May Is, succeeding the late
William A. Van Duzer. But the
city became particularly traffic
conscious in August as result OF
| two spectacular accidents.
| A bus of the Arnold Lines
plunged through a guard rail on
the Memorial Bridge August 2 and
landed on a park roadway. Forty
four passengers were hurt, one OF
them fatally.
Four days later, an automobile
plowed into pedestrians at Four
| teenth street and New York ave-
nue. NV, killing two and injuring
six.
Later that month, the Commis-
sioners authorized the Board OF
Revocation and Restoration OF
Operators Permits to suspend for
six months or revoke the permits OF
motorists convicted of driving faster
than SO miles per hour twice within
a year. The board also began sus-
pending permits of all drivers con-
victed of driving 40 miles per hour
or more for at least 80 days.
Physical Phases Tightened.
In October, Mr.. Keneipp adopted
new QUESTIONABLE for permit ap-
plicants, after consultation with a
committee of physicians. The forms,
notarization of which is required
call for information on fainting or
dizzy spells, headaches; strokes,
paralysis and use of insulin in ad-
dition to the questions formerly
asked about physical condition.
The stricter policy with respect to
traffic violators produced sharp
boost in the number of cases before
the Revelations Board. Up to De-
cember /, it meted out 1895 suspen-
sions and revocations. There were
3,472 in 1945, 3,940 in 1914 and 3,60l
in 1941.
With moresnew automobiles avail
able, registrations began to rise
steadily. Mr.. Keneipp began cam
paign in cooperation with police to
force registration here of some $4,000
Cars with foreign" tags, the owners
of which live in the Capital.
In reorganizing the Department OF
Vehicles and Traffic, Mr.. Keneipp
placed emphasis on acquisition: OF
new engineering and planning per-
sonnel. Wallace L. Braun, traf11c
engineer in Baltimore for 10 years,
was named deputy director and
began filling IL positions made avail
able by the departments budget for
the fiscal year.
More Personnel Sought.
A survey of the city's traffic signal
lights and signs was begun to serve
as a guide in making changes and
additions after the wartime years,
during which no improvements were
effected.
In his budget estimates for the
fiscal year beginning next July /, Mr..
Keneipp pleaded for funds with
which to provide additional person
mel in the permit examAation and
vehicle inspection divisions. He
conceded motorists were being
forced to wait long periods for per-
mits, and, sometimes, to have their
vehicles checked.
Noting involvement of teen-agers
in a number of traffic mishaps, Mr..
Keneipp announced in September a
number of extra questions would be
asked young permit applicants in an
effort to determine their attitudes
toward driving. He also obtained
two dual-control automobiles to in
stitute driver training programs in
two vocational high schools, but
emphasized extension of this work
should be done with funds Of the
Board of Education rather than by
his department.
July saw establishment of the
Commissioners Traffic Advisory
Board as successor to similar ad-
visory group.
Traffic School Proposed.
Perhaps its most notable recon-
mendation to the city heads, made
last month, was suggested estab-
lishment of a traffic school" This
institution, stated by police and
members of the Department of We
hieIes and Traffic, would give in
struction to violators ard appli-
cants for permits.
Violators would be given a chance
at probation Or light penalties by
attending the classes.
The Commissioners have not
taken action on the plan.
A special committee was named
to plan a complete revision of Dis
trict traffic regulations to bring
them in line with the uniform code
recommended by the Presidents
highway safety conference.
The committee is not expected