New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-22
SOME STREET DANGERS.

The nov electric ear lines and the popular
automobile are undoubtedly great conveniences.
They have come to stay, and we want them 10
STAY hut their presence in our streets calls for
new vigilance both public and private. They
undoubtedly Increase the dangers of the streets,
and the traffic of which they make n part should
be more carefully regulated And it is not
merely the power cars and vehicles which should
be regulated hut the carriages and wagons shar-
ing the streets with them. 1t is not entirely the
fault of the managers Of the more rapid vehicles
that their introduction brings new risks Doubt
less some motormen and automobile drivers are
careless but it is the nature Of their machines to
go fast In the case of the cars especially they
do not fulfil their function and accommodate the
public unless they do Their high speed is ne
ccssity. and general traffic must in measure ac-
commodate itself TO them. This the drivers Of
wagons are slow 10 do. The pedestrian who was
able to devote a large share Of his attention TO
beer wagons and coachmen now has to watch so
alertly and step so brskly TO avoid electric cars
that he is likely to throw himself into danger
from drays and carriages in escaping the other
menace. This is evidently the origin Of many
accidents in the last few months caused not by
electric ears directly but by horse vehicles.
The streets are bNtOuiluS 80 NpuStHlfu WIN
traffic which must move rapidly that not only
must greater care be required from ALL but
wherever possible special refugees for pedes-
TRANS who are obliged to breast this stream
should be provided. The Paris system of refuge
islands is n good one. Our streets are frequently
too narrow AT danger points to permit the with
drawal of small raised and pillared spaces from
the driveway area. But in many Others there is
plenty of room. At Thirty-fourth-st and Sixth
ave, for instance, the crossing car lines and
large wagon traffic put the pedestrian in pecul-
lar danger. Yet there is space enough there for
several conveniently placed islands, where
man or woman may stop 10 get bearings and see
that the way across tracks is clear without run
ming the risk of being knocked down. Fifth-ave
and Twenty thirdst. is also an exceedingly
troublesome point. IL requires the crossing Of
two crowded streets to get up or down Broad
way, and the greater part of the stream Of foot
passengers takes diagonal course that the
traffic there is moving in six different directions.
If the space now occupied by some Of the Dewey
Arch approaches was set apart for pedestrians
and barred to vehicles the embarrassment and
danger TO timid persons OF this crossing might
be reduced. Such islands would occupy no more
room than do the staff columns about which the
traffic surges without serious interruption.
The four tracks in the Bowery are constant
menace TO life Islands there might be useful,
and there is room enough for them, but they
would not meet the chief danger That is Of
persons getting off or on one car stepping be-
fore another on the parallel line. Motormen fire.
quently have 10 shout 10 persons not quick OF
perception, warning them to stand carefully in
the narrow SPACE between tracks. and serious
accidents are avoided daily only by the greatest
vigilance on the part Of the railroad employees.
The companies themselves mightdo something to
relieve the strain on their in the interest of
common safety. AT Grand-st.. at Broome-st and
at Cooper Union the Metropolitan track crosses
that Of the Third Avenue line. Yet a Waterman
Is kept to signal the cars at Grand-st only One
was formerly kept at Cooper Union. but he has