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Show Page December 26, 1953 THE JOURNAL 6 If you picked up your paper tomorrow and read that disaster had wiped out the state of Kansas, killing 40,000 people, injuring every one of the states 1,905,299 population and causing a property and economic loss of about $4,000,000,000, it would be a national calamity. But when that disaster comes day by day killing hundreds, injuring thousands every day, year in and year out the impact is lost because it didnt happen all in a sudden flash. That, however, is the annual toll of highway deaths and injuries and economic loss. 40,000 killed: 2,000,000 injured; cost $4,000,000,000 in a single year. This greatest U. S: tragedy is caused mainly by reckless, speeding and drunken drivers, riding their cars over the nations highways and byways. Clear skies and straight dry roads are the setting for three out of four fatal accidents. Week-end- s and holidays are the times of greatest danger highest casualty lists. Saturday is the most dangerous day. Drivers in an alcoholic haze are a major factor in swelling the mounting death toll. What can be done about it? Slow down! Thirteen states with speed limits of 50 miles or less had but 26 per cent of the deaths and the rate declined 18 per cent in one year. If that decline had been nationwide, nearly 12,000 li res would have been saved, 600,000 less injuries. Slow down! SLOW DOWN! Keep your name off the casualty list. super-powere- SLOW DOWN d LIVES ARE I N YOUR HANDS! |