The Washington times., 1920-07-10
By L. J. FAULKNER.

Every one is prone TO view things through glasses
that fit his eyes and, incidentally, his wishes
Hence in the traffic question, far it relates to
resulting accidents there two widely diverg
en viewpoints The man in the street, rated in auto
lingo as "jay walker" and the man in the car commonly
called by pedestrians the speed maniac" each roundy
blames the other To the unfortunate who does not
car there always feeling of pque and jealousy To
many owners of automobiles, the contrary there is
feeling of superiority over the ''poor" pedestrian
great many drivers seem to think that person has
business crossing the street-at least the attitude OF
some would convey that impression They will tear by
crossings with loud snort of their horn if slow walker
does not quickly get out of their way This is all wrong
The crossing the street within the specified limits OF
a street crossing has an ABSOLUTE RIGHT WITHIN
THOSE PRECINCTS, no matter what speed he may wish
to in making the crossing He has much right that
auto should come to stands before in any way
hunying him from his rightful position. Many drivers
have habit of tearing around independent OF the
fact that at every he negtaes there two cross
ngs which he must pass and which reserved for
people who desire to the street. and while they
crossing the street they have the absolute legal right to be
there and it for the auto driver to protect them and not
for them to protect themselves This does not mean that
the street should absolutely ignore all reasonable
to avoid the unexpected but there should be consider
alton shown to him when he is pursuing the path laid
down by the city government for his protection On the
other hand the auto driver is constantly harassed by the
who absolutely ignores crossings and takes the most
direct line his destination by crossing in the middle of
the street dagonay When they do this they do at
their risk because within these precincts the auto has
the right of way.
One of the greatest there is connected with
the traffic problem the who pays attention when
he steps from the curb and of the beaten paths
laid down for his use neither looks to right left and
to imagine, in his indifference to danger that he
has perfect right to make such crossing. He is ABB
SOLUTELY IN THE WRONG.
Again. a person will walk from behind street car
giving thought or looks to oncoming traffic. Here
again. the walker is at fault and is this sudden appear
of pedestrian from behind that is the of
great many accidents. 1t is almost impossible, mat
ter how careful driver of may be- for him to know
in advance that person is about to emerge from behind
and practically in front of his oncomng machine and
when such event is almost impossible for the
autost to avoid a collision
Let there be fairness both sides; let neither
the other ask that which unreasonable expect that
which not their due; let pedestrians keep to the paths
which have been allotted to them by the city government
still with cautious eye for the careless auois and let
the driver remember that he approaches crossing he
is taking his machine ground within which he is not
privileged.
If there could be nculcated in both the minds of the
walker and the driver these simple rules great great
many accidents could be avoided