Evening star., 1953-05-16
Alcohol Called Factor
In 40 10 50 Pct. Of
Fatal Road Mishaps

Alcohol probably figures in
from 40 to so per cent Of fatal
accidents, the Women's Safety
Committee of the American
Automobile Association here was
told yesterday.
The opinion came from Arthur
E. Miller, former District police
inspector and now public safety
director in Montgomery County.
He recently completed a survey
on the role of alcohol in traffic
accidents.
The 20 per cent figure reflected
in national statistics, he told the
meeting in the Mayflower Hotel.
should be at least doubled.
He said an absolutely accurate
figure is difficult to reach. He
cited inability or reluctance of
some officers to state whether a
person is under the influence of
alcohol. and in some cases, abb
sence of verification.
Cites Chemical Tests.
Chemical tests. he told the
meeting, not only furnish reliable
evidence to convict the guilty but
to protect the innocent. What
the average layman may con-
slider symptoms of drunkenness
can come from something else,
he noted.
Sometimes, he added, guilt is
determined by how much and
what the suspect had to drink,
whereas the chemical test con-
Germs only how much alcohol is
in the blood at the crucial time.
Mr.. Miller said ii States have
chemical test laws and another
has one going into effect in
January, 1854. Last year, he
went on, % other States also
used chemical tests to some
extent.
While a defnitive law is not
absolutely necessary, it simplifies
both defense and prosecution
and cuts down the need for
expert witnesses, he asserted,
even though it is prima facie
evidence and rebuttable.
He found that conviction rates
are higher and fewer cases
actually are tried when chemi-
cal tests are used.
Testing of Alcohol Content.
DR.. Russell S. Fisher, chief
medical examiner of the State
of Maryland. gave a scientific
explanation of the testing of
alcohol content in the body.
He told how is of per cent
alcohol content is the level which
has been accepted, after thou
sands of tests, as a safe one for
prima facie evidence. Some peo-
pie are influenced at a lower
level, he said, but care must be
taken against injustice.
At a certain blood level, doc
tors can tell what a person will
do. regardless of how much or
how long he has been drinking,
he said.
The meeting saw a demonstra-
tion of drunkometer, presented
by the Oscar Hunter Memorial
Laboratory. The demonstration
showed how alcoholic content in
the body is measured from the
breath.
DR.. Oscar B. Hunter. jr.. told
the committee. however, that
tests of alcoholic content of the
urine and blood are considered
more accurate. He said the chem
ical test is quite sufficient not
only to protect the community,
but the individual"
Besides making a scientific ap-
praisal of the legislation intro
duced by Senator Case, Republi-
can, of South Dakota, defining
alcohol tests in traffic offenses,
the luncheon meeting honored
District Commissioner Samuel
Spencer and Mrs. Spencer.
Praised by Spencer.
Mr.. Spencer said the city heads
feel the Women's Safety Com
mittee is dealing with zone of
the most important problems
that faces our city and our Ma
tion today" and is contributing
toward its solution.
Police Chief Robert v. Muir
ray expressed gratitude at the
committees help in the effort |
to obtain civilian street crossing
guards.