The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1962-03-02
81 Daytime Fatal Auto Accidents Down Is Per Cent
By the Editor


Montanans have been rghuly alarmed the soaring
death toll the highways roads city streets
corded during 1861
Many, without digging deeply subject
insisting that Montana must have compulsory daytime speed
limit law How much value daytime limit def
ntey question long the State provide
sufficient number of highway patromen to meet mini
standards recommended either National Safety
Council the International Association Chiefs of Police
Montana had in 1861 according Highway Patrol Super
Alex Stephenson 12O uniformed officers of whom only
sc regular traffic patromen The other depoyed
drivers license examiners vehicle weight inspectors
and command personnel According TO the two national and
international authorities listed above Montana should have
as minimum
Based rural fatal accidents 164 patrolmen;
Based rural miles travelled, $50 patromen;
Based on state highway miles, 274 patromen
1861 DAYTIME FATAL ACCIDENTS DOWN Is PER CENT
From figures compiled by Stephenson his staff THE
VOICE. it most obvious that daytime fatal accidents
not the why Montana deaths scared to 275
1861 compared with persons killed the previous year.
In fact had nighttime fatal accidents decreased at the
rate that daytime did, there would have been substantial
decrease in fatalities in 1861 compared with 1860
though there increase in highway travel last
compared with the previous IL months.
year, daytime fatal accidents dropped
Is per cent, from 102 in 1860 to IS in 1861.
Broken down by types of roads, the following obtains Fatal
accidents us and State Highways decreased from "a in
1860 to Sc in 1861 County fatalities dropped from 20
"a in the period city street faals down from
nine in 1860 to five in 1861
so PER CENT INCREASE IN NIGHTTIME
FATAL ACCIDENTS
According research by Highway
travel occurred between shutdown and last yet
during period better per
accidents occurred.
Between dusk and dawn-when there legal maximum
speed limit of 55 miles hou120 of the 205 total fatal
accidents occurred Many of these fatal accidents direct
y chargeabe to either speeding mbbng of liquor
Highway Patrol records show that at least 81 of the 20 night
time fatals directly due speed This 1861 total
60 the 81 fatal accidents definite
y due to excessive speed in 1860.
The substantial decline in daytime fatal accidents,
coupled with the tragic climb fatas during the hours
is a maximum speed to
sion: No serious thought should be given
general daytime limit unless companion legislation
(nd increased appropriation is also enacted provide
for upwards of double the number of patromen available
for regular surveillance of the motoring public.
MAJOR CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS
Speed and liquor and year the major
If fatal accidents.
OF 1861 fatal accidents 81 exceeding speeds
afe for condition of the road and/or the 55 mph night
INIT Of these noted above than twohds occurred
night By contrast 1860 there 101 fatal accidents
involving speed There cent decrease in acct
Tents attributable speed in 1861 compared with 1860
the fact nighttime fatas 1861 65 cent high
r than in 1860 Obviously daytime faals due speed de-
reased drastcally last compared with the
Liquor involved in at least 80 fatal accidents 1861
IS compared with go in 1860
Other included failure right roadway
top sign violations improper passing, etc.