|
Abstract
|
In 1962 for the first time since the invention of the automobile, there were over 40,000 persons needlessly slaughtered on U.S. roads and highways. Only heart, cancer, and pneumonia are greater destroyers of human life than traffic. Yet from age one to thirty-six, traffic accidents are the No. 1 killer.
Within the Commonwealth of Kentucky within the last ten years, motor vehicle registration has increased 55%. What does this mean? This means an increase of over 850 cars per week for the entire 52-week block. What about traffic accidents? They have increased over 60% during the past ten years, and you will note a higher corresponding increase in accidents than the increase in number of automobiles. What about single car accidents? Alarmingly they have increased over 98% during the past ten years.
Now how does Kentucky compare with our neighboring states? The National Safety Council has devised a formula called the 100 million mile traveled death rate which allows states with varied geographical terrain, population, motor vehicle registration to compare and equate their traffic safety efforts and programs. In 1963, the nation's 100 million mile death rate was 5.7 and Kentucky's 6.7. Every state that borders the Commonwealth of Kentucky had a lower 100 million mile death rate than ours, so you can see we have a critical problem that demands action and demands a solution.
Why are Kentucky's streets and highways less safe than those of our neighbors? One of the basic reasons is that with the tremendous increase and upsurge in drivers and cars and accidents there has been no compatible nor companionable increase in traffic safety legislation. If this problem is to be solved, it must be attacked, not ignored. Twentieth century traffic problems can only be solved with twentieth century tools and regulations. Police and safety organizations have for too long been shackled by antiquated and horse and buggy legislation, and the time is long overdue when we must confront the problem with every means at our disposal and implement an intelligent and realistic accident prevention program. We must also realize that if the program is to work effectively and secure the desired results there will necessarily have to be some curtailment of our individual privileges, and this fact is unfortunately basic and essential and unavoidable. |