We are very familiar with car accidents and we have seen them since moving vehicles have been around us. But, some of the worst accidents occurred before there were any real "rules of the road". During the 1920's a drivers license was not needed in most states. There were no signs, signals, or traffic enforcement, and in many cases the roads were filled with ruts and at times, filled with holes. It was the wild west when it came to driving and life was risky, not just for drivers, but for pedestrians as well. The combination of inexpensive cars, (The model T Ford was less than $300), and poorly maintained roads, uneducated drivers, and speeds approaching 40 mile per hour, was the perfect combination for some really bad accidents. But, when I look at the photos I see the lack of any protection for the occupants. There are sharp corners of metal, non-shatterproof glass, and potential for being thrown out of the vehicle. The well-known term for these cars was "Tin Lizzy" and they were designed for fast production and not safety. While we have come a long way in safety, the driver is still the problem. Now it is texting and other distractions that seem ubiquitous. In either case, the only winners are the body shop and the lawyers! Photos from the National Photo Archive from Washington, DC.
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