Report of the Committee on the Motor Vehicle

NHTSA · 1924 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation

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Summary

This 1924 report, issued by the Committee on the Motor Vehicle for the National Conference on Street and Highway Safety, addresses the role of vehicle design, construction, and maintenance in highway safety. Motivated by data indicating that while most accidents stem from human error rather than mechanical failure, significant improvements in vehicle engineering could further reduce incidents. The committee aimed to provide specific recommendations to manufacturers, owners, and public authorities to ensure vehicles were designed safely and maintained in proper operating condition. The committee, chaired by H. M. Crane of the Society of Automotive Engineers and comprising experts from various automotive, insurance, and government bodies, analyzed various vehicle components to identify safety hazards. Their approach involved reviewing current design standards, operational practices, and regulatory frameworks to formulate general recommendations applicable to all motor vehicle types. The report covers controls, braking systems, steering, driver vision, lighting, signals, tires, bumpers, and inspection protocols. Key findings and recommendations include specific design adjustments to prevent operational errors, such as spacing accelerator and brake pedals to avoid accidental acceleration and ensuring brake pedals prevent foot slippage. The committee recommended that service brakes allow for simple operator adjustments and that vehicles be capable of stopping from 20 mph within 50 feet on dry surfaces. Steering gear play should be limited to 15 degrees, and front wheel toe-in should not exceed five-eighths of an inch. To improve driver vision, the report urged minimizing blind spots caused by body design, prohibiting obstructions on windshields, and ensuring windshields could be opened or cleaned easily. Regarding lighting, the committee advocated for rigid enforcement of existing regulations, the use of clear red for tail lights and clear yellow for stop lights, and restrictions on spot-light placement to reduce glare. They also recommended mechanical signals for vehicles where hand signals are obstructed, the avoidance of worn tires on steering wheels, and further study of bumpers for pedestrian safety. The significance of the report lies in its call for uniform legislation and technical regulation across states to standardize vehicle safety. The committee emphasized that enforcement should be handled by technically qualified personnel and that periodic inspection and maintenance are essential for safety and economic efficiency. They recommended the Department of Commerce issue a practical inspection code to guide owners and operators. Ultimately, the report asserts that while driver responsibility is paramount, standardized design and rigorous maintenance protocols are critical for reducing the mechanical causes of accidents and ensuring the safe operation of motor vehicles.

Key finding

The committee recommended that motor vehicles be capable of stopping from 20 miles per hour in 50 feet or less and that steering gear lost motion be limited to approximately 15 degrees.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• vehicle conspicuity