Evening star., 1922-03-19
TOPUT DENT
IN SPEED MAN|ACS
Police Chief Soon to Equip
Additional Chasers With
Swift Automobiles.

Maj. Daniel Sullivan, superinten-
dent of police. expects to put a dent
in so-called speed maniacs" when he
gets the eighteen Army motor cycles
to be used by additional members of
the squad of motor cycle policemen.
1t is expected that the machines will
be delivered to the police depart
ment the next few days. and no delay
will be experienced in putting them
in service.
1t was explained by a District Of
f1cial that the motor cycles will be
lent and not presented to the Dis
trict government, the law not per-
mitting the giving and acceptance of
property. 1t is certain. however, that
they will be retained indefinitely. The
District will merely pay the express
charges and keep the motor cycles in
running condition.
Get Many Complaints.
Maj. Sullivan and Inspector Headley.
the latter in charge of the traffic
squad. have discussed the traffic sit
uation a number of times. They have
received numerous complaints OF al
legged open violations of the law. and
have determined to reduce the num-
Der to a minimum.
Attention recently was called to the
necessity for filing second offense
charges against persistent violators
of the speed laws, which would add
TO the penalties. including absolute
ticials hope motorists have been given
warning enough to induce them to
comply with the traffic regulations.
"It is not the desire Of the depart
ment to get motorists in JAIL" com
mented a police official. but if they
I'll ~ r.
may expect to receive such treatment
at the hands of the court.
Activity of Tramc Squad.
Activity on part of the traffic squad
the past week resulted in the arrest
of 21S alleged speeders and 317 for
alleged violations of other traffic reg
ulations. Complaints of violations OF
the speed law and other traffic regu-
lations are received from time to
violations of the regulations against
passing street cars that had stopped
or were stopping to take on or dis
charge passengers
1t is pointed out by police officials
that the section of the regulations in
tended to protect and safeguard per-
sons about to board or alight from
street cars is one of the more impor-
tant sections. A penalty of from So
to $40 is provided for violations Of
the regulation. and the law explicitly
states that automobiles shall not ap-
proach within fifteen feet of any
street car which has stopped or Is
about to stop to take on or let of
passengers.
WARNINGS Given.
The fact that streets are primarily
intended for vehicles and street cars
must not be construed as relieving
drivers from the responsibility of ex-
ercising all possible care not to in
jure pedestrians" is printed by the
District Commissioners as foreword
in the interest of safety.
"On the other hand" it is enjoined.
pedestrians should avoid interfer-
ence with traffic. and to this end
should not step from the sidewalk
without first looking to see what is
approaching: should cross the street
at right angles and only at a regular
crossing: should stand on the side
walk or close to the track when wait
ing for a street car; should face the
front of the car when alighting from
it. and observe the traffic on the right
before moving to the sidewalk. and II
crossing behind the car observe the
traffic in both directions"