MICHIGAN HISTORY

Hazardous traffic: The early years

Campus Martius in downtown Detroit was a jumble of streetcars, automobiles, pedestrians and a horse-drawn wagon in 1917.
Campus Martius in downtown Detroit was a jumble of streetcars, automobiles, pedestrians and a horse-drawn wagon in 1917.
The Detroit News Archives
Traffic steers around cars that are double- parked on an unidentified Detroit street in 1915.  Parking availability was a big problem in the city.
Traffic steers around cars that are double- parked on an unidentified Detroit street in 1915. Parking availability was a big problem in the city.
Library Of Congress
"Car turns turtle, injuring 3" read the headline after this 1922 accident. Drivers often didn't understand that taking corners at high speed would have dire consequences.
"Car turns turtle, injuring 3" read the headline after this 1922 accident. Drivers often didn't understand that taking corners at high speed would have dire consequences.
Library Of Congress
Cars and horses shared roads uneasily in the early decades of the 20th century.  Horses were often frightened by the sounds of automobiles.
Cars and horses shared roads uneasily in the early decades of the 20th century. Horses were often frightened by the sounds of automobiles.
The Detroit News Archives
Woodward Avenue circa 1920 was in the midst of a transportation transition, with electric trolleys, horse-drawn vehicles and automobiles sharing the street.
Woodward Avenue circa 1920 was in the midst of a transportation transition, with electric trolleys, horse-drawn vehicles and automobiles sharing the street.
Library Of Congress
A view of Cadillac Square, looking south, in 1909.  That year, there were 200,000 motorized vehicles in the United States. Just seven years later, in 1916, there were 2.25 million cars.
A view of Cadillac Square, looking south, in 1909. That year, there were 200,000 motorized vehicles in the United States. Just seven years later, in 1916, there were 2.25 million cars.
Detroit News Archives
In this 1902 illustration in Puck magazine, a wealthy old man driven by his chauffeur races through the countryside during a cross-country auto race, having struck several pedestrians who are not used to encountering automobiles on country roads.
In this 1902 illustration in Puck magazine, a wealthy old man driven by his chauffeur races through the countryside during a cross-country auto race, having struck several pedestrians who are not used to encountering automobiles on country roads.
Library Of Congress
Children played in the streets, and were often struck by cars.  Above, boys play "shinny," a form of street hockey, on a Detroit street, circa 1910.
Children played in the streets, and were often struck by cars. Above, boys play "shinny," a form of street hockey, on a Detroit street, circa 1910.
The Detroit News Archives
Men use a block and tackle to hoist a Model T Ford from a ditch, circa 1914. Driver's education classes weren't available until the 1930s.
Men use a block and tackle to hoist a Model T Ford from a ditch, circa 1914. Driver's education classes weren't available until the 1930s.
Library Of Congress
Getting on or off a streetcar like these at Michigan at Woodward avenues was a dangerous proposition in the 1920s, with lanes of traffic between the sidewalks and the streetcars.
Getting on or off a streetcar like these at Michigan at Woodward avenues was a dangerous proposition in the 1920s, with lanes of traffic between the sidewalks and the streetcars.
Detroit News Archives
A woman attempts to cross Woodward Avenue in 1911.  In the early years of  motoring, three-fourths of auto accident victims were pedestrians, and one-third of the pedestrian victims were children.
A woman attempts to cross Woodward Avenue in 1911. In the early years of motoring, three-fourths of auto accident victims were pedestrians, and one-third of the pedestrian victims were children.
Detroit News Archive, The Detroit News Archives
A 1905 Collier's Weekly illustration shows a farmer in a horse-drawn wagon squeezing around city people attempting to fix their car. Many farmers, hostile to automobiles, set up roadblocks and booby traps to stop cars from racing down their roads and scaring their horses.
A 1905 Collier's Weekly illustration shows a farmer in a horse-drawn wagon squeezing around city people attempting to fix their car. Many farmers, hostile to automobiles, set up roadblocks and booby traps to stop cars from racing down their roads and scaring their horses.
Library Of Congress
Motorists drive along Jefferson Avenue, date unknown.  In just two months in 1908, 31 people were killed by motor vehicles in Detroit.
Motorists drive along Jefferson Avenue, date unknown. In just two months in 1908, 31 people were killed by motor vehicles in Detroit.
Detroit News Photo Archive
Oldsmobiles are built at the Olds Motor Works plant in Detroit, circa 1904-06.  As Detroit became the hub of automobile production,  the number of cars on city streets eclipsed that of other cities, where cars were bought primarily by the wealthy.
Oldsmobiles are built at the Olds Motor Works plant in Detroit, circa 1904-06. As Detroit became the hub of automobile production, the number of cars on city streets eclipsed that of other cities, where cars were bought primarily by the wealthy.
Library Of Congress
People take a spin in an automobile on Grand Boulevard in the early 1900s.  In Detroit everyone of nearly all incomes was driving, including children.
People take a spin in an automobile on Grand Boulevard in the early 1900s. In Detroit everyone of nearly all incomes was driving, including children.
Detroit News Archives
An early car is mired in the mud. Woodward Avenue between Six and Seven Mile became the first mile of concrete highway in the world in 1909.
An early car is mired in the mud. Woodward Avenue between Six and Seven Mile became the first mile of concrete highway in the world in 1909.
The Detroit Publishing Co.
The first U.S. stop sign was used in Detroit in 1915, and the first traffic lights, at the time called street semaphores, were invented and developed in Detroit. Above, a Traffic Squad officer mans a crow's nest on Grand Boulevard in 1926.
The first U.S. stop sign was used in Detroit in 1915, and the first traffic lights, at the time called street semaphores, were invented and developed in Detroit. Above, a Traffic Squad officer mans a crow's nest on Grand Boulevard in 1926.
The Detroit News Archives
By 1916, one-fourth of the entire Detroit police force -- 250 officers -- was used for managing traffic.
By 1916, one-fourth of the entire Detroit police force -- 250 officers -- was used for managing traffic.
The Detroit News Archives
"Jail the Only Remedy" is the title of this 1902 Puck magazine illustration showing an automobile driver in jail. Anger over the huge number of injuries and fatalities caused by speeding cars was a common sentiment in the early 20th century.
"Jail the Only Remedy" is the title of this 1902 Puck magazine illustration showing an automobile driver in jail. Anger over the huge number of injuries and fatalities caused by speeding cars was a common sentiment in the early 20th century.
Library Of Congress
A safety campaign in Detroit in the 1920s included a depiction of the dangers of children roller skating in the street.
A safety campaign in Detroit in the 1920s included a depiction of the dangers of children roller skating in the street.
Detroit News Archives
Traffic is heavy on Michigan Avenue in 1924. In the distance, a police officer can be seen in a traffic crow's nest.
Traffic is heavy on Michigan Avenue in 1924. In the distance, a police officer can be seen in a traffic crow's nest.
The Detroit News Archives
A police officer, shielded somewhat from rain or sun, tweets a whistle for 10 seconds before turning the sign from Go to Stop in 1925. Officers also used hand signals, but many drivers didn't understand them.
A police officer, shielded somewhat from rain or sun, tweets a whistle for 10 seconds before turning the sign from Go to Stop in 1925. Officers also used hand signals, but many drivers didn't understand them.
The Detroit News Archives
A woman walks toward the front of a car with a Michigan license plate, possibly in Detroit, circa 1915-1925. People accustomed to strolling the streets in the horse age often had problems judging the speed of automobiles.
A woman walks toward the front of a car with a Michigan license plate, possibly in Detroit, circa 1915-1925. People accustomed to strolling the streets in the horse age often had problems judging the speed of automobiles.
Library Of Congress
During the first few years after World War I, more Americans were killed in auto accidents than American soldiers were killed in France.
During the first few years after World War I, more Americans were killed in auto accidents than American soldiers were killed in France.
Library Of Congress
James Couzens was the key figure who brought order to Detroit's streets, enacting many new traffic management and safety ideas, first as  commissioner of street railways, later as police commissioner, then mayor.
Couzens would go on to serve as a U.S. senator.
James Couzens was the key figure who brought order to Detroit's streets, enacting many new traffic management and safety ideas, first as commissioner of street railways, later as police commissioner, then mayor. Couzens would go on to serve as a U.S. senator.
The Detroit News Archives
Pedestrians amble across Gratiot Avenue in this photo from "Story of the Detroit Police," James Couzens commissioner, 1917, published by the city of Detroit. Couzens campaigned to stop jaywalking to reduce accidents.
Pedestrians amble across Gratiot Avenue in this photo from "Story of the Detroit Police," James Couzens commissioner, 1917, published by the city of Detroit. Couzens campaigned to stop jaywalking to reduce accidents.
Public Domain
Streetcars, pedestrians and motor vehicles converge at Monroe Avenue and Cadillac Square in 1915.
Streetcars, pedestrians and motor vehicles converge at Monroe Avenue and Cadillac Square in 1915.
Library Of Congress
A police officer directs traffic in Detroit in the 1920s.  Detroit was among the first to have a police squad dedicated to traffic control.
A police officer directs traffic in Detroit in the 1920s. Detroit was among the first to have a police squad dedicated to traffic control.
Detroit News Archives
After World War I, as accidents continued to soar, drivers were being labeled in newspapers as "remorseless murderers,"  their danger to public safety likened to a  disease epidemic.
After World War I, as accidents continued to soar, drivers were being labeled in newspapers as "remorseless murderers," their danger to public safety likened to a disease epidemic.
Library Of Congress
A car flips and crashes in 1918 in Washington, D.C. Automobiles were portrayed in newspapers, books and movies as toys of the wealthy driven by young socialites who were typically drinking alcohol as they toured the country side or roared through small farming towns.
A car flips and crashes in 1918 in Washington, D.C. Automobiles were portrayed in newspapers, books and movies as toys of the wealthy driven by young socialites who were typically drinking alcohol as they toured the country side or roared through small farming towns.
Library Of Congress
In 1911, Detroit claimed to be the first city to successfully experiment with one-way streets, including the route around Belle Isle.
In 1911, Detroit claimed to be the first city to successfully experiment with one-way streets, including the route around Belle Isle.
The Detroit News Archives
Pedestrians crossed the street wherever they pleased at Campus Martius in 1917. Soon, laws about jaywalking would be put in place.
Pedestrians crossed the street wherever they pleased at Campus Martius in 1917. Soon, laws about jaywalking would be put in place.
The Detroit News Archives
A Detroit police officer stops traffic to let children cross the street when school lets out in 1927.
A Detroit police officer stops traffic to let children cross the street when school lets out in 1927.
Detroit News Archives
Lafayette at Third Street badly needs a traffic light in 1928.
Lafayette at Third Street badly needs a traffic light in 1928.
Detroit News Archives
A police officer manually switches the Stop-Go sign on a "street semaphore" on Woodward Avenue in 1928.
A police officer manually switches the Stop-Go sign on a "street semaphore" on Woodward Avenue in 1928.
Library Of Congress
A streetcar safety demonstration on Woodward Avenue, circa 1925, shows the wrong way to disembark.  Streetcars ran in the middle of the streets, making it hazardous for pedestrians to get on and off.
A streetcar safety demonstration on Woodward Avenue, circa 1925, shows the wrong way to disembark. Streetcars ran in the middle of the streets, making it hazardous for pedestrians to get on and off.
Library Of Congress
As the demonstration continues, the two men are nudged by the grill on the front of the streetcar and tumble onto the street.
As the demonstration continues, the two men are nudged by the grill on the front of the streetcar and tumble onto the street.
Library Of Congress
An officer in the traffic tower at Grand Boulevard and Woodward Avenue uses hand signals and a whistle as well as traffic lights to keep cars and people moving.
An officer in the traffic tower at Grand Boulevard and Woodward Avenue uses hand signals and a whistle as well as traffic lights to keep cars and people moving.
Detroit News Archives
Soon the police admitted publicly they could not keep up with traffic and could not afford to add more men to street safety duty. The city was losing the war against reckless driving.
Soon the police admitted publicly they could not keep up with traffic and could not afford to add more men to street safety duty. The city was losing the war against reckless driving.
The Detroit News Archives
A street view of Michigan Avenue, date unknown.
A street view of Michigan Avenue, date unknown.
The Detroit News Archives
The new, automatic traffic signal at Woodward and Grand Boulevard was much more cost-efficient than paying officers to direct traffic.
The new, automatic traffic signal at Woodward and Grand Boulevard was much more cost-efficient than paying officers to direct traffic.
Detroit News Archives
Officers from the Accident Prevention Bureau photograph an accident in this undated photo. Inconsiderate drivers were called “fliverboobs” by the American Automobile Association.
Officers from the Accident Prevention Bureau photograph an accident in this undated photo. Inconsiderate drivers were called “fliverboobs” by the American Automobile Association.
Detroit News Archives
Police officer Reyniear Staats talks about traffic safety to Nichols Elementary students. Sometimes teachers or police officers would read to school classes the names of children killed by autos and how they died.
Police officer Reyniear Staats talks about traffic safety to Nichols Elementary students. Sometimes teachers or police officers would read to school classes the names of children killed by autos and how they died.
The Detroit News Archives
Students at a school for the disabled paint giant footprints at dangerous intersections as warnings to pedestrians in Washington, D.C. in 1935.
Students at a school for the disabled paint giant footprints at dangerous intersections as warnings to pedestrians in Washington, D.C. in 1935.
Library Of Congress
A policeman directs foot traffic during an anti-jaywalking campaign in 1929.
A policeman directs foot traffic during an anti-jaywalking campaign in 1929.
Detroit News Archives
Some things never change: Long lines of cars exit the Ambassador Bridge, circa 1930.
Some things never change: Long lines of cars exit the Ambassador Bridge, circa 1930.
Detroit News Archives
Sgt. James Hoye of the Detroit Police Traffic Division has some safety advice for a driver in 1934.
Sgt. James Hoye of the Detroit Police Traffic Division has some safety advice for a driver in 1934.
The Detroit News Archives