Laurel outlook., 1950-11-29
MONTANA FATAL
ACCIDENTS BEAT
U~.S.AVERAGE 4O%
Exceeded Only By Wyoming,
Nevada-MOtOr Vehicles,
Falls Among Causes

Montana's accident death rate
for the past few years has beer
consistently 40 per cent higher
than the national average. Last
year there were 557 deaths, making
the accident death rate third high
est; only Nevada and Wyoming had
higher rates. Accidents were the
third leading cause of deaths in
Montana, exceeded only by heart
disease and cancer.
To obtain needed information
the bureau of vital statistics of
the state board of health has in
the past few years made inquiries
about each accidental death to
learn its cause and the circum-
stances of it. All motor vehicle
deaths are checked with the high
way patrol to distinguish between
traffic and non-traffic fatalities.
This additional information points
out the greatest dangers and kinds
of preventive methods to be fur
Their developed.
Chief Causes
Motor vehicles caused the great
est number, a total of 15S deaths.
Of these 81 resulted from running
off the road and "a were from COL
lision of two or more vehicles.
Twenty pedestrians were killed.
AutO-train accidents resulted in
seven and overturning on the high
way six deaths. The remainder in
volved animals, motorcycle, bicycle,
fixed objects, and include II other
non-collision or u~nspecified.
The deaths were chiefly the re-
suit of not observing the three
rules of traffic safety: caution,
courtesy and common sense.
The second greatest cause was
falls, which resulted in 124 deaths.
Of this number 70 were from falls
on the same level, including the
fall Of older people who slipped on
floors, ice, rugs, or objects left
in their paths in the home.
Falls from one level to another,
which caused 80 deaths, were found
in industry and building opera
tions. Falls on stairs caused eight
deaths and the remainder were I'M
specified.
Other Causes
The 80 deaths from drowning
and submersion occurred mostly in
swimming and recreational activi-
ties. However, II small children
fell into irrigation bitches near
their homes. Also, capsizing or
sinking boats caused five deaths
last year.
Fires and explosions of combus-
tible materials accounted for SO
deaths. These included deaths from
burning buildings, forest and grass
fires, explosion of fire works, gas
oline, gas, lanterns. Scalding
caused three deaths.
Excessive cold resulted in 25
deaths. Machinery such as COM
~harvesters, tractors, and
power shovels caused IS fatalities.
Careless handling of firearms ac-
counted for II, and air craft deaths
numbered 10. Other causes in
solid and liquid poisons, poi
son gases, electric shock, inhalation
of food and foreign objects, suffo-
cation in cribs, horse kick, gored
by bull, excessive heat and others.
Accident Prevention
Accidental deaths can be pre-
vented by several methods, the :
board of health commented. OBJ {
servation of traffic signs, de- ;
creased speed within posted zones
and low visibility conditions, and |
avoiding alcoholic liquors when !
driving will do much to lower traf-
tic accidents. :
Care should be taken in placing :
articles about the home. Young l
children should be watched es- {
pecially when near water and {
irrigation bitches flow. eau
ton should be observed around {
moving machinery and firearms, I
auto engines should never be left {
running in closed buildings unless :
.hese buildings are properly VEN =.
L.