Newspapers / Firestone News (Gastonia, N.C.) / Dec. 1, 1957, edition 1 / Page 8
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PAGE 8 SflW! DECEMBER, 1957 The Tragic Case History Of Just One Of The l,400fi00 Road Accidents That Happened In 1957 The Last Hour ☆ ☆ ☆ John W. left his job at a Midwestern plant at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 10 and started for home. About four blocks from the plant he stopped off at a neighborhood bar and had two drinks with “the boys.” He stayed about 10 minutes longer than he expected, so he drove a little faster than usual on the way home, to avoid being late for dinner. He was about a mile from home when he went through a crossing at about 45 miles an hour, trying to beat the light. He saw another car crossing his path, but by the time he jammed on his brakes it was too late. He plowed into the side of the car and dragged it 50 feet before stopping. Both John W. and the driver of the other car were killed. Two passengers in the other car were crippled for life. You’ve seen cars like these — twisted and crumpled from terrific impact. The statements that follow come from seven people who be came involved in the accident during and after the last hour of John W.’s life: Policeman “I was the first one on the scene after the crash. I knew right away somebody was badly hurt in this accident. I called for an ambulance immediately. Then I made out my accident re port. The man (John W.) was driving 45 miles an hour in a 35-mile zone. He was way over the white line when he hit the other car.” Physician “The man was dead when we arrived. He had a fractured skull and multiple fractures over the rest of the body. He obviously was driving too fast when he hit the other car. His body hit the steering wheel and was crushed to death. One man was killed and two people were injured in the other car, too.” Insurance Agent “The car was insured for $10,- 000-$20,000 but the driver had only a $5,000 group insurance policy from his company. Not much to leave a young widow and two children for the rest of their lives.” Pedestrian “When that guy turned the corner, I knew he was headed for trouble. He musta been goin’ 60 in a 35-mile zone. He almost clipped me. If I hadn’t ducked DEADLY PLACES FOR CHILDREN TO RIDE The kids may think this is a lot of fun but — one bad bump or sudden jar and these boys are likely to fall off. These youngsters may be get ting the breeze but not getting the attention they deserve. Have children sit in the car seats. It’s a lot safer. © AMERICAN MUTUAL LIAB. INS. CO. SPEED OF CAR ^ between those parked cars, I’d a been pushin’ up daisies now.” Mechanic “Those cars will need plenty of work to go again. Funny thing. The driver (John W.) was the same man who came into our service station the other day for a grease job. I told him that he should have his brakes relined but he said he’d wait a while. Strange how some people are about things like that.” Nurse “It was the most heart-break ing thing I ever had to do, when the doctor told me to report it to the man’s family. I knew it was going to be difficult, as hard on me as it was on that poor woman and those children. Imagine, a widow at 28!” Bartender “He always, stopped by my place on the way home from work. Had one or two and then took off. This night he was sore at his boss or something and he had an extra shot . . . He wasn’t drunk.^’ Widow “John was always a pretty good driver. He never went too fast or passed a red light. Maybe once in a while he had a drink or two or drove a little too fast . . . Why did this have to happen to my husband?” ☆ ☆ ☆ Firestone News gratefully ac knowledges the generosity of the American Brake Shoe Com pany for permission to use the illustration on stopping distance and the material for the article, "The Last Hour". This informa tion was originally published in the May, 1957 issue of Brake Shoe News. 30 MPH I' 'II 40 MPH r '111 50 MPH I' I' III 60 MPH r I'lii 70 MPH r I'l 11 REACTION DISTANCE ^ 22 FT. BRAKING DISTANCE ^ TOTAL STOPPINGflH DISTANCE ^ 40 FT. 33 FT. 44 FT. 18 FT. 55 FT, 66 FT. 77 FT, KNOW YOUR 70 FT. MM 226 FT. Slopping Distance . . . even with brakes and tire treads in perfect condition it takes the distance shown to stop on the average, dry road surface 297 FT. FIRESTONE TEXTILES P. O. BOX 551 GASTONIA, N. C. SEC. 34.66 P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID GASTONIA, N. C. PERMIT NO. 29 Form 3547 Requested
Firestone News (Gastonia, N.C.)
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Dec. 1, 1957, edition 1
8
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