116 State Papers and Addresses

the tragic traffic conditions that exist all about us. And I contend that, until
we do begin to talk realistically about traffic accidents, and until we really
make up our minds that we must DO more than just (talk about them, we never
will see any appreciable reduction in the terrible total of deaths that each new
month brings.

It was to do something so much needed that a group of public-spirited
citizens responded to my call in early September and organized this Traffic
Safety Committee. No outside consideration, political, commercial or other-
wise, actuated anyone in joining in this movement. Its non-partisan character
is to be preserved, its single objective as we bring about its permanent self-
perpetuating existence, is to work in unison for the saving of human lives
and the reduction of serious accidents resulting in painful and permanent
bodily injuries.

Is there need for such an effort in Maryland? Well, when we are told
that Maryland had last year the worst record in that group of States made
up of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, we
can understand that a real challenge is before us. Can success be achieved?
Well, we only have to look at the results elsewhere to see that those States
which have advanced plans for Traffic Safety have been repaid in the lowest
death rates from accidents.

Records of previous years showed that the months of October, November
and December are the deadliest in point of traffic fatalities. And so we de-
termined to concentrate on these three months and to declare the first seven
days of each as "Safety Weeks" in the hope that extraordinary effort would
be exerted to make our people "Safety Conscious. "

October Safety Week, the first concerted effort of the Committee, was
marked by columns of publicity in the city and county press; by hundreds of
meetings with civic and other groups throughout the twenty-three counties;
by increased attention to safety education among many thousands of pupils
in both the public and private schools of the State. The message of safety
was broadcast by radio, it was preached from the pulpit in numerous churches
in the counties.

Most gratifyingly, the number of traffic deaths in the State during the
period covered by October Traffic Week went down sharply, from 13 in that
first week of October last year, to 8 in October Week this year. Just how large
a part our October Week efforts played in that reduction, no one could ever
say with certainty, of course. At any rate, five lives less were sacrificed during
that week than had been the year before, with the second month now beginning.
We sincerely hope that there will be shown a like result when we come to the
end of November Safety Week next Tuesday evening. There is room for im-
provement because during last November 45 deaths occurred from automobile
accidents while during November of 1937 51 lives were similarly snuffed out.

Looking over the activities program for the next seven days, I must
congratulate the Committee for the good use they have made of the three
weeks following the close of the first week in order to prepare for November's
campaign. Certainly, Maryland will be acutely aware of the fact that Traffic
Safety is uppermost in many persons' minds during this week. Virtually
every newspaper in the State has carried from one to as many as eight or
ten Safety stories within these three weeks. All the Baltimore radio stations
and some of the county stations are contributing most generously of their