Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-09-21
Survey Of Accidents
To Students Urged
Al Traffic Meetinq

A District survey of traffic in.
volving school children similar tc
one in effect in New York, was ad-
vocated yesterday by DR.. Carl F
Hansen, associate superintendent In
charge of elementary schools. at a
meeting of school and police officials
at the Mayflower Hotel.
The program calls for collecting
and analyzing figures on accidents
involving elementary and junior
high school pupils in order that
all possible steps may be taken to
prevent them, he would recommend
that the teachers safety committee
undertake the program.
The meeting, under auspices of
the District Motor Club of the Am
erican Automobile Association, hon
| ored Is policemen of the District and
nearby Maryland and Virginia, who
aid school patrols in traffic safety.
The gathering emphasized the need
for additional caution, both by
motorists and children, due to the
opening of the Washington public
schools tomorrow.
Care In Driving Urged.
Meanwhile, George E. Keneipp,
District director of Vehicles and
Traffic, labeled the next three
months killer months" in urging
motorists to drive with extra care
during school hours.
There is no reason why District
motorists should help build up
killer month statistics" Mr.. Ken
eipp said in a statement.
Traffic deaths in the District
have been tending steadily upward
for some time now" he said. ITO
date, So persons have been killed in
traffic accidents compared with 43
in the corresponding period of last
year"
Data compiled by the Commits
sioners' Traffic Advisory Board in its
summer campaign to reduce deaths
OF children and teen ayers, showed
that children were to blame for a
vast majority of the accidents in
which they were involved, Mr..
Keneipp said. Leading the list of
violations of safety rules were cross
ing in the middle of the block, play
ing in the street, running between
parked cars and hitching rides on
vehicles, he reported. Bicyclists, he
said, were the worst offenders.
160 Teachers Commended.
DR.. Hansen told the policemen
the program in which they are en-
gaged-aiding schoolboy safety
patrols-is part of an overall pro-
gram to reduce accidents every
where" He commended the $50
school teachers aiding in making the
program effective.
Inspector Arthur E. Miller in
charge of traffic for the Metropoli-
tan. Police Department, declared
this year four children of school
age, and three of pre- school age
have been killed in traffic accidents
Three of the school age children
were killed during vacation, he said
Last year, he said nine pre-school
age children and two of school age
were killed. He said Washington
has demonstrated 1t wants a good
safety program.
The inspector said the presence
OF captains from the various police
precincts at the luncheon was an
index Of the departments interest
in the safety program.
Washington I. Cleveland motor
club president, who presided, de-
',lared none of the fatalities to
children occurred at crossings con-
trolled by the schoolboy patrol. He
declared Washington has the best
safety program to be found in any
Of the nations major cities.
Continued Aid Promised.
Mr.. Cleveland promised continued
support for the program. He an
nounced that early tomorrow morn
ing boys from safety patrols will be
interviewed on all Washington radio
stations ais a feature of school OPEN
ing.
Inspector Richard Mansfield
school safety director for The Star
who gives talks in public and
parochial schools in the Washington
area, praised the policemen for their
wonderful work. This school year
he said. he plans to speak in every
school in the area. He declared he
expects to be on television programs
in the future. stressing safety, sc
parents as we'll as children can
take advantage of them. He said
he has received letters from 10000
school children showing the interest
they take in the safety program.
Other speakers included DR.. Rob-
ert A. Maurer, vice president. OF
the Board Of Education; DR.. James
A. Cannon, board member; p. Y. K
Howat, chairman Of the Advisory
Board OF the District AAA; Miss