THIS paper reports upon the results of a highway investigation which justifies the conclusion that carbon monoxide in exhaust gases can and does seep into the passenger compartments of moving vehicles in sufficient quantities to impair the judgment of the driver in the control of his car; analyzes the cause factors resulting in the existence of carbon monoxide within cars; and recommends a form of inspection and maintenance which will effectively reduce, if not eliminate, this hazard to public safety.
Highway tests were made with the cooperation of the State police and motor-vehicle authorities in seven New England and Eastern States, several hundred cars being picked at random from State highways by the State police and examined, and between 5 and 6 per cent of the units tested were found to contain dangerous quantities of carbon monoxide in the passenger compartment. It was found that there were five forms of infiltration to account for the presence of carbon monoxide within cars.
Other phases of the subject are treated under the headings: Remedial procedure, asphyxial cases, comments on the foregoing, accident cases, general conclusions and recommendations.