Good News for Autoists

Automobile insurance rates are in line for a cut wherever motoring is restricted. This week the insurance commissioners of New England and the Middle Atlantic States will meet with the companies to discuss rate reductions and compare notes on wartime driving in the dimmed-out, gas-rationed east.

With private automobile driving down around 35%, the number of accident claims has fallen 25 or 30%; today's accidents are more serious, as a result of dim-outs, tired defense workers behind the wheels, and worn-out tires and cars. Also, in areas where share-the-ride clubs are active, automobile occupancy has increased from 2.2 persons to 4.8 persons per car,* so more people are involved when accidents do happen. Result is that claims paid are now 25 to 35% bigger than usual.

Worst hazards in many an underwriter's opinion are dimmed traffic lights, most of which have lost about 90% of their effectiveness and are barely visible in daylight. Other problems coming up before the meeting:

> A big increase in car theft, and the stripping of tires from parked cars.

> Accidents involving bicyclists weaving and wobbling along the highways are up 15%.

> In New York for the first six months of this year 19% more hit-&-run drivers were convicted than last year; conviction for drunken driving increased 15%.

Good bet is that when the insurance rates are cut "A" card gasoline-ration holders will get a better break than holders of "B," "C" and "S" cards.

*The insurance men's figures. In many areas where share-the-riding is supposedly in effect, the actual average is still under three per car.

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