The Washington herald., 1915-04-18

Mayor of JACKSON Mich president Of the CHAIN
Der of Commerre and general manager of the
Sparks Wilmington Company
1T is better to be safe than to he
sorry is the theory now adopted by
practically all automobilists and pedes-
TRANS. AS a conse, .Ience, there are few
err sorry people now. in comparison with
the number of motor cars driven, than
ever before Automobile accidents are
on the decrease.
The safety first" movement is largely
responsible for this. The pedestrians
themselves and the drivers are becom-
ing educated to the requirements for
safety-they have greater respect for the
rights of the other fellow, and better
observance of these rights.
The mOtorist naturally believes he has
the right of way between crossings. al
though he should. and does, retain con-
troll of his car. But when children or
any persons dart out unexpectedly in
front of the car he cannot answer for
the consequences. Records show that Al
per cent Of all accidents occur in the
middle of the block Everyone should
cross at the crossings mad'. and pro-
vidcd for that purpose. or. for the sake
OF Self-prOtection. they should Use care
when indiscriminat"ly crossing.
Dependable Breaks Ncccs.aray.
Motor vehicles should he equipped with
dependabl brakes with horns that are
needed 1t should he the religion of every
motorist to drive slowly when passing
schools, children vehicles, going around
corners or approaching crossings. lie
should obey the law which forbid' that
any machinery be left running while the
vehicle is standing on any public high
way without an attendant.
ba IF
dollars in erecting safety signs all over
the country. Safety First Sound Spar
ton is the best known OF these safety
signals.
Proba bly, no one has made n more cX-
hauStivc study of the subject than
Charles NJ. Hayes. president OF the Chi
caGo Motor Club. He says: when in
doubt. stop AT railroad crossings and
behind street cars taking OF or dischars-
ing passengers. Better to cause A delay
than an accident.
ALWAYS safety first.
AT the approach of fire department.
ambulance and police department vrh-
cles. drive al once TO the riSht-hand curb
and stop.
Sound Sparton signal approaching OBJ
Struct-d crossings.
Keep 'cut-out' closed within city and
town Iimits-avoid arrest and fine.
Drive moderately on strange roads
you never can tell.
pedestrians should remember that
while they have the right to cross the
street in safety. that the streets are
primarily intended for vehicles, and they
should conform to all traffic rules and
thereby contribute not only to their own
safety and comfort. but facilitate the
movement of traffic as well. The city of
Chicago has issued set of rules which
anyone may procure in person, or by
writing, at the vehicle bureau. police
headquarters Among other things, these
rules say:
Pedestrians should never step from
the sidewalk to the street without first
looking in each direction for approach
ing vehicles. They should he particular
ly cautious in crossing alleys.
Signal Those Behind Vehicles.
Before slowing up or stopping driv-
ers should signal those behind by raising
the whip or hand vertically.
In turning while in motion. or in
starting to turn from a standstill. a sig
nal shall be given by indicating with the
whip or hand the direction in which the
turn is to be made
Before backing or slowing up ample !
should be given. and while back ,
ing Unceasing vigilance must be eXer-
cised not to injure those behind.
No vehicle shall proceed at any time |
at a greater speed than the law allows |
and which is safe and proper under the |
conditions then obtaining.
NO vehicle shall cross any street or
avenue or make any turn at a speed |:
rate exceeding one-half its legal speed. |
mo vehicle shall emerge from an al |
ley, stable or garage at a pace faster
than a walk; at the latter places an at
tendant should precede the vehicle to
give warning.
"A vehicle. except when passing a vehi-
lie ahead. shall habitually keep as near
he right-hand curb as possible
"A vehicle meeting another shall pass
% the right.
"A vehicle Overtaking another shall
pass on the left side of the overtakenl
'ehicle and not pull over to the right I'M
Ill entirely clear OF it.
NO vehicle shall stop with the left
side to the curb
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