The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-12-31
To IMP ROVE
MOVEMENT
Of TRAFFIC
THE PEDESTRIANS MUST BE RE.
oUESTED AS WELL AS THE We
HicLES SAYS PRESIDENT X.
N. ROWE OF ASSOCIATION.

Each OF the lements of traffic
could be kept in its proper place at
the right time. tse big problem of
regulation would be solved" is the
opinion of President II. NJ. Rowe Of
the American Automobile AssociatioG.
whose recent utterances at the SafA
ty First Convention created consider
able comment throughout the country.
because the doctrine was put forward
that the pedestrian must also be reg
ulated as well as the vehicle in bring.
ing about improved traffic movement
The sidewalks are for the pedes.
trains and the streets primaoily fos
vehicles" continues the head of the
organized motor car owners. The
pedestrians should be and is safe
guarded in his use of the sidewalks
and designated crossings, where he
should at all times have the right of
way. When he attempts to use the
streets at points other than at eros
sings, then he should do so at his own
peril. Furthermore, when he occupies
the street at any other than at desig-
mated crossings, it should be prima
facie evidence of gross carelessness
on his part and he should be made
to assume the responsibility for his
conduct. On the other hand, drivers
of vehicles should have precedence
between crossings. They should have
right to expect that they will only
have to look out for other vehicles.
After all there are just these two
important elements in traffic-ve-
hicles and pedestrians and both con
tribute to accidents. Undisputed rec
ords. however. show that in over so
per cent of all accidents the fault is
that of the pedestrian, and in less
than 20 per cent. the blame attaches
to the vehicle. This includes street
cars, motor buses, and all forms of
street carriers Limiting the report
to accidents between automobiles and
pedestrians, il is stated from % to
estrian.
What lessons are to learn from
--,se facts? particularly
motor vehicles are now so regulated
by law that any further attempt in
that direction would not help mat
ters Personally, | am convinced that
we have SO much law for the motorist
that, to make him safe as he can be
made an element of street traffic, we
must get rid of much of our present
law and simplify that which re
mains.
"On the other hand, the pedestrians
as the other important element in
traffic. We have not regulated at all.
As a rule he is not willing to con
tribute his share to eliminating the
causes of accidents. He is tenacious
Of his right to conduct himself as he
pleases on the streets or highways, to
cross where he pleaes, to stand where
he pleases. to go in any direction he
pleases at any time he pleases. And,
strange TO say, he is supported in his
view by public opinion; and the old
common law. which recognizes the
superior rights of the individual OH
the public highways is quoted in his
defense. Courts and juries have up
held him and awarded him heavy,
damages even when he was guilty 0
gross negligence His attitude is
Hit Ne If You Dare!" Whereas the
great majority Of motorists do every
thing i'm their power to avoid accidents.
the great majority of pedestrians do
not.
In all fairness, what right has the
pedestrian to jeopardize with his own
life the life and the liberty of those
operating vehicles under conditions of
modern necessity that have complete
ly changed the whole question of the
relative rights of those engaged i'm
traffic? 1t must not be inferred that
in attempting to regulate and control
the pedestrian it is to give additional
license TO the motorist Just the op-
posite is the purpose. which first and
last is to avoid accidents.
81 am fully aware that any attempt
in the past to regulate the pedestrian
has promptly called forth sharp criti-
cism from various sources, But in no
other way can the number of acci-
dents resulting in serious injury and
death be reduced to any appreciable
extent"