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Story
December 11, 1938
Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
What is this article about?
The Christian Science Monitor reports that strict speed limit enforcement in Pennsylvania reduced accidents by 40% with a 50 mph law, while Providence, RI, cut fatalities from 41 in 1937 to 14 recently via a 25 mph limit, emphasizing steady speeds for safety.
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STEADINESS, KEY TO
SAFER DRIVING
(Christian Science Monitor)
Arguments that speed is one of the more frequent causes of automobile accidents seem to be confirmed by the National Safety Awards. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has reduced accidents 40 per cent through strict enforcement of a 50-mile-an-hour speed law, while Providence, Rhode Island, has cut its auto fatalities down from forty-one in 1937 to fourteen in the twelve months just ended, and credits general observance of a 25-mile-an-hour speed limit as the chief factor in this achievement.
In both cases, it should be stressed, the speed laws actually were enforced. In Pennsylvania, speeding drivers were summarily banned from driving for ninety days. In Providence, police activity was backed by a public opinion that effectively throttled down the drivers.
Both on the open road, as well as in city streets, we now have rather conclusive evidence that if we would reduce accidents we must reduce speed.
The slower tempo of city driving is not necessarily irksome, as many who have driven in Providence testify. The 25-mile-an-hour maximum tends to become the minimum, hence traffic moves with an even, almost a rhythmic flow.
Thus it would appear that well-regulated rather than erratic rates of speed are a real safety factor.
SAFER DRIVING
(Christian Science Monitor)
Arguments that speed is one of the more frequent causes of automobile accidents seem to be confirmed by the National Safety Awards. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has reduced accidents 40 per cent through strict enforcement of a 50-mile-an-hour speed law, while Providence, Rhode Island, has cut its auto fatalities down from forty-one in 1937 to fourteen in the twelve months just ended, and credits general observance of a 25-mile-an-hour speed limit as the chief factor in this achievement.
In both cases, it should be stressed, the speed laws actually were enforced. In Pennsylvania, speeding drivers were summarily banned from driving for ninety days. In Providence, police activity was backed by a public opinion that effectively throttled down the drivers.
Both on the open road, as well as in city streets, we now have rather conclusive evidence that if we would reduce accidents we must reduce speed.
The slower tempo of city driving is not necessarily irksome, as many who have driven in Providence testify. The 25-mile-an-hour maximum tends to become the minimum, hence traffic moves with an even, almost a rhythmic flow.
Thus it would appear that well-regulated rather than erratic rates of speed are a real safety factor.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Speed Limits
Automobile Accidents
Safety Enforcement
Pennsylvania
Providence
Fatalities Reduction
Where did it happen?
Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island
Story Details
Location
Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island
Event Date
1937 To Twelve Months Just Ended
Story Details
Strict enforcement of speed limits in Pennsylvania and Providence reduced automobile accidents and fatalities significantly, highlighting the safety benefits of steady, regulated speeds over erratic driving.