As a Matter of Fact

[Music] [Music] how'd it happen I'm not sure I I guess I didn't see him traffic was coming from all directions [Applause] on a certain day in a certain State a series of planned steps were taken to discover and eliminate hazards to traffic all of this action stemmed in large part from information supplied by a common source an accident records Bureau such a bureau is essential in every state and in every sizable Community accident records are basic to safety through their analysis facts will replace guesswork actual experience will replace mere opinions in developing the accident prevention program here in an isolated rural area with no police on the scene accident reporting depends on you the motorist a written report sent without delay to the proper authorities in your state or community in an accident causing injury or death you report immediately by the quickest means of communication in urban areas in addition to individual reports a large amount of information should come from trained police investigators who go to the scene of the accident there they get valuable facts including information from Witnesses and the driver or drivers involved an efficient Reporting System requires use of a standard form to expedite the process and ensure greater accuracy a copy of the report goes to the state where as in the city it is filed by location of the accident easily cross referenced to names of pedestrians and drivers reports are tabulated to assemble data such as vehicle types condition of roadway time of day and the addresses of drivers involved today in up-to-date bureaus with a heavy volume of cases mechanical tabulating equipment is employed also statistically trained Personnel for today a properly functioning accident records Bureau demands competent employees selected on a merit basis at least one employee for every 2,000 cases reported annually but for best results one employee for every 15 00 cases when properly maintained and interpreted accident records serve many valuable purposes they help guide state and city engineers in removing hazards from existing streets and highways and in designing safety into those still on the drawing board they help the manufacturer add still more safety factors to vehicle design they help Spotlight the habitual traffic law violator his efficiencies then can be corrected failing that his license can be revoked accident records help states and cities find locations requiring traffic signals signs and markings they disclose weaknesses in laws and ordinances in need of strengthening but all these important benefits and others depend on the kind of accident records Bureau your state and Community maintains first does your State LA law require prompt reporting of all accidents is your records Bureau a Central Bureau is a standard reporting form used does it employ scientifically trained Personnel do you comply with the law by reporting any accident in which you are involved measure your state and local bureaus by these yard sticks if they fall short in any area that is is where correction is required remember a strong traffic safety program must include an efficient accident records Bureau a storehouse of facts on past mistakes put to use for your future safety facts that contribute to elimination of Hazards for you your family and your community for all who use our streets and highways and so we progress one more major step toward the action program for traffic [Music] [Applause] safety