Evening star., 1919-11-16
scowl for interfering with his read

ScOWl for interfering with his read
ing.
"Of course. there are as many reck-
less drivers here as elsewhere. but,
taking everything into considera-
tion-and | am close observer
| think the pedestrian is the greater
offender of the two in Washington
"As to who is to blame after the
accident happens brings little solace
to the injured party" said A q:
Batchelder, executive chairman of
| the A A. A. There is no question
| but that both automobile drivers and
pedestrians are very lax regarding
traffic laws in Washington. Person
| ally, 1 don't think it so much desire
| to defy the regulations on the part OF
pedestrians as it is thoughtlessness.
citizens of Washington are very care
| less when crossing streets.
"I have made it practice of noting
infractions of the traffic regulations
on the part of pedestrians, and must
admit that in great many cases
| where serious accidents occur they
are entirely to blame. Granted that
| Washington has its full quota OF
reckless drivers, l think II more
stress were laid on just what IS ex-
| the business sections of the city.
great many unnecessary accidents
| would be avoided.
"If such a thing were possible.
| would suggest that the authorltles
keen a detailed report of the exact
part Of the street where the accident
Observation-Disclosures at crossing or
| In the middle of the block, ana IN
that way, l think, it. would De an
easy matter to soon ma VINO are .,e
lations, 1t is no uncommon sight TO
see pedestrians deliberately oaIt
across a busy street right in the mia
die of the block. That more are not
killed seems only a mlracle. ,,an@ ane
most careful driver cannot preven.
running these jay walkers down. no
matter how hard he tries
"The Washington traffic squad is
doing all in it's power to make peoes,
| trians understand what is eHpeelea
hard task on their hands, simply pc
cause ofrenders of traffic regulations
have never been dealt with in man
ner commensurate with the act.
| Regulations of A. A. A.
1.-TWO years ago the American Auto
mobile Association drafted a set OIL
repulations for the benefit OF the pc
destrian. and while they have never
heen acted upon officially. think they
still hold good and may. be Oh heip IL
published at this time.
/ The rules laid out py the n. a. "a 'o
| pedestrians are as follows:
The nublic roads and streets OF any
state are intended primarily for the
nse of vehicular traffic and the Sloe
walks for pedestrians. IL snail pe
unlawful for pedestrians TO use !ne
highways contrary 10 any VI 'N
flowing provisions:
! (a) Pedestrians shall not use tne
nnbiic highways other than at regular
crossings except when obliged to DO
SO by the absence Of sidewaiks rea-
sonably suitable for their use.
| (b) Pedestrians who are 1orceo 10
use the roads or streets by the ab-
sence of reasonably suitable slde"alks
shall keep as near as reasonably pos
sible to their right-hand side OF the
same. ,,,-
oreoate on any road or street in such
q manner or under such circumstances
as to obstruct the free use OF the same
for vehicular traffic.
(d) Published at head of column,
(e) No person shall play in the pub
lie highway or use roller skates, coast
ers or any similar vehicle. toy or 9TH
err article on wheels or runners (eX-
centine bicycles, tricycles and motor
cycles) or operate the same on any
street or highway in the state, except
in such areas as may be speciany a es ues-
ignated for that purpose by the prop
erly constituted authorities.
.'The sooner all concerned" concluded
Mr.. Batchelder, realize that the side
walks are for pedestrians and the
roadways for vehicles, and that II
strictly to the law governing their
territory they will be backed up by
the authorities, the sooner will stop
be put to many very unnecessary ac-
cidents that are occurring almost daily
in the streets Of the Capital