The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-01-23
THE BASIC CAUSE
of
Automobile Killings
(From the
Chapel Hill Weekly

AL SblIbl III VIZ A'AAA
Journal recalls to me a comment |
made on this page a year or so
ago: that, in all the volume of talk
about the causes of automobile ac-
cidents, hardly ever is there any
thing said about the basic cause;
which is, simply, the existence of
dangerously high-powered vehicles
and the freedom of anybody to
uses them on public thoroghfares.
'The 1853 model of a stock auto
mobile" says the Milwaukee paper,
will have a 205-horsepower eng
inc. 1t has peeled off a 100-mile
test run in less than SO minutes.
Two other manufacturers are re-
ported ia have similar zoom wag
ons in mind.
Hold on, now! What are you
going to do with 2O5 horses under
your hood? On what public high
ways are you going to drive car
115 miles an hour?
1T seems to us this thing is
getting out Of hand. Why build a
power and speed into automobiles
far beyond what the road system
can safely handle or will be- able
to handle in the foreseeable flu
ture? Isn't it Just an invitation to
even more slaughter and suicide on
he highways?
Competition, says the industry;
you've got to offer more power
than your competitors to outsesll
them. We doubt that. We believe
it would be smart business for the
industry to concentrate on cars
that would best meet the conditions
Under which they have to be used
cars that you can park, that use
less fuel, that are maneuverable
in modern traffic, that contain less
acreage of expensive sheet steel
and don't cosst you 5000 per bump.
Railwaytrains run on tracks on
private property. In many longest
ed areas stout fences keep the
public off the tracks. Tracks are
not thus isolated out in the open
country, but they are on their own
separate rights of way and it is
easy for anybody to keep from be-
ing hit by a train when he knows
it is going to be held to a small
space defined by two parallel rails
To keep people from being run
over by trains thousands of grade
crossings have been eliminated
Where trains cross roads and
streets at grade warning signs
have been erected, and at many
crossings the coming of a train is
announced by the Washington of a
red light and the loud ring of q
bell. The railway locomotives anG
cars are carefully inspected be-
fore every trip. And before a mar
is employed as locomotive engi-
neer he not only has to pass tests
of his eyesight and hearing anC
general physical condition but he
has to have a good intelligence anC
record of good character anc
good habits.
All these measures are to pro.
tect people from being killed OIL
injured by railway trains. Observe
in contrast, the lack of protection
they have from being killed or in
| iured hv automobiles
These vehicles run freely or
thoroughfares where pedestrians
and other vehicles are constantly
passing in front of them. They
swerve from one side of the right
! of way to the other, enter mair
arteries from the sides, swing a
round corners, make sudden starts
and stops. They are equipped with
great power and a large part OF
the time they move at dangerous
speeds. Many, since their owners
are not compelled to keep them il
good condition, have faulty brakes
and are defective in other respects
The drivers, millions of them, have
procured their driving license:
either without any examination a
all or after examinations that are
perfunctory and meaningless. They
go tearing up and down streets anC
, along highways subject to only the
most meagre control. | dare say
that every person in Chapel Hill
who reads this has seen with hi
own eyes within the last twenty
four hours somebody exceeding ;
speed limit that is proclaimed IL
giant figures on street signs.
There is. no restraint whateve,
on manufacturers in respect to thu
power of engines they put in thei
cars. They make faster and taste
cars as the years go by.
The exhortations by editors ant
other persons offering themselve
as counselors to the public, tn,
safetw campaigns, the efforts b!
law enforcement authorities
These do some good and SHOULD
be continued, but. they cannot d.
, more than touch the surface o
,, the problem. With vehicles of tire
) mendous power free to be operate'
,, On streets and highways by per
y | SONS rybo,o, - ;e 60, oh ~ o,.s ~