The result of more cars and more miles of travel are well known
to us. The increase in exposure means inevitably a corresponding in-
crease in the hazards. Our problem is to reduce these hazards, which,
of course, we are trying to do. But the appalling statistics which
confront us—statistics recounting the untold horrors of killings and
injuries—testify only too clearly that we are not doing enough.

Dual highways, medium strips, traffic signals, grade-crossing elimina-
tions, mechanical improvements, seat belts and all the paraphernalia
of traffic safety have helped immeasurably, of course. Heaven only
knows what the situation would be like without them. But they have
not done the job satisfactorily, as we all know. And we are all aware
that these safety devices will have to be improved, and all
of our safety efforts increased, unless we wish to be exterminated by the
very machine in which our ingenuity we have created for our comfort,
enjoyment, and general welfare.

I would expect that most of you here, who are as interested in
highway safety as I am, are familiar with the statistics of highway
accidents. But let's review them again anyway, because I think they
are useful to us in our consideration of the gravity of the problem we
face. Last year in the United States, 40, 900 persons were killed in
motor vehicle accidents. The continuing trend in fatalities will be
noted in these figures for the preceding years: 38, 091 in 1961, 38', 200 in
1960, and 3 7, 800 in 1959.

Besides fatalities, there are many other measurements of the
disaster caused by these accidents. More than 1, 500, 000 persons were
disabled beyond the day of the accident. The National Safety Council
estimates that the total economic loss in traffic accidents last year was
$7. 3 billion. Some consolation may be gained, and some satisfaction
derived, from other figures showing a slight decline in the mileage
fatality rate. For in fact fewer persons are losing their lives in per
miles traveled than there were a few years ago. For example, the
rate of deaths per 100 million miles of travel last year was 4. 5, as
compared with 4. 65 in 1959. Which would indicate that, as small
as it is, we are reaping some rewards from the efforts we are making
to improve the safety of our highways.

The discouraging trend that we have noted in the national figures
unfortunately are apparent in the figures for our State. Last year,
there were 588 deaths on the highways of Maryland, as compared

551