The chronicle=news., 1913-03-01
Entirely Too Much
Aiu,Iess footing

NJ Motor Print. Charles Johnson de-
clares that most motorists lose sight
of the real mission of the automobile
warning signal. Describing condi-
tions In Los Angeles and lower Call.
fornia-a locality selected as typi-
cal because OF the large number of
automobiles in use-Mr. Johnson
says:
Il doubt II in Ten per cent. OF the
signalling by motorists that come
under my observation there was evil
dence OF the proper understanding
Of what the auto horn Ia for.
instead Of giving proper note
at crossing. have frequently OBJ
scrvcd that the Los Angeles Elotorist
does not sound his signal ut all. but
often Immediately begins 20 sound
IL as x0on as he passes one crossing
on his way 10 the crossing n block
beyond. Theoretically he does this
to give ample warning TO the iudi-
vidunl ni the farther crossing. Prac-
tically. what he should do Is TO sound
the note quarter of block from
the crossing. which has u dual ef.
feet: II causes the pedestrian who Is
about TO step into the street to halt.
aud ktiive~ the pedestrian In the
roadway ample time TO get ou, Of
tue way u tuV uofH ~ ObOWH Ut
the further end Of the block and re-
mains silent when near the cross-
ing. the pedestrian has no means of
knowing Of the immcdiat. proxim-
ity OF the machine.
For the six months ending July
!. 1919. there were li3j automobile
accidents in which $50 persons were
injured. OF these. as0 were struck
or run over hy machines. There were
@29 accidents ut crosAinEs and l2t
oAtween craseiu9s. The City Coun-
ell has now passed an ordinance d.
timing proper warning signal as
m abrupt note. sufficiently loud To
BE- heard above the noise OF traffic
and restricting the ne OF this to Its
true function: rs warning OF
danger. Another ordinance Ia being
urged which will prohibit pedes-
trians from crossing the street at the
intersection OF streets where traffic
Officers are stationed except under
the direction Of the latter.
My own careful study of the
warning signal problem leads me 10
the conclusion that there il only one
proper method OF procedure. The
framing OF law which defines
within limits Of reasonable elastic
tty the sound that constitutes an
adequate warning signal. the pro-
htbttion OF the use Of such signal
other than as a warming of danger.
and the prompt punishment OF the
noise maker who uses danger sig
nal as Dlay-toy. Such Law must
not prohibit. hut must regulate. The
police power OF no city Is ufficienf
to enable the municipality to pro-
hihi, the use Of any public safety de-
vice within reason. The city does
possess the POWER of regulation.
which enables 1t to prevent any ar
ticle or product being transformed
into nuisance. but regulation does
not carry with II the power of pro-
htbition in such instances. Then.
when city has the proper law. the
duty devolves upon the law.abiding,
fair-minded motorist to unite in the
matter OF educating themselves and
others as to the proper use of the
automobile warning signal. Once n
right law is created, once motorists
and non -mCtorists understand Alright
the significance OF the warning sig
nal. once punishment Is know to fol-
low. sure ana swift, upon the mis-
use OF the warning signal. then the
accident roll will be reduced to a
minimum. The same situation asl
that described above exists in al
most every city in the United States.
although In less degree than in Los
Angeles. where all classes Use the
motor car"