The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-17
M'DUFF |NVOKES GOLDEN RULEFOR
 SAFETY SLOGAN
Handling of Traffic Depends Absolutely on Unselfish h. dividuaI Cooperation,
 Declares Chief

"A Safety Week." says Chief of Police Fred IT. McDuff. "sn't going to accomplish enc bit of good in this town unless every individual gets one vital message ingralned into his being. That message Is that the sue cessful handling of traffic abso- lutely depends on unselfish individual cooperation from driver and pedes- trian alike.
 There are certain fundamental problems that the traffic force and handle. such as proper street car routing and parking, but If the use less, unnecessary accidents are to be climinated-not to speak of the ter rible loss of life-every person has got to learn certain things-and do them.
 Handling this situation Is a lot like telling a child a long list of 'don'ts' Either the child will i'm mediately, out of courosity, do them. Or will tell you very earnestly that he Is not that kind of child
 The fact remains that each year traffic Is growing. We are going to have greater automobile transporta ton instead of less. In my exper- fence I have found that I have got ten the best results in handling traf- fic when l have studied human na- ture. or, in fact, studied my own re- actions when I am driving and when I am walking.
 As a driver I have had to con tinually preach to myself that l am not the only driver in the street. As careful as l might be, l have got tn oh foI Tho same thing holds true when I am walking. Don't have anything on your mind but your position as a pe- destrian, and you are not apt to dis obey the traffic signals or walk around town with your head down.
 The trouble today is that there IS entirely too much selfishness on both sides of the fence. The automobile driver damns the pedestrian and the pedestrian damns the driver. It isn't a question of who is right or who is wrong. The vital point is that when you are a driver you have cer- tain things to do. And when you are on foot you have an important job to perform--it isn't ramning some- body-but helping the other fellow to make traffic as easy to handle as pos sible.
 Here are some things every pe- destrian should do when he is down town:
 "The best way to become a good automobile driver is to first learn to be a good walker.
 Gross the streets with your senses alert. Be calm. Don't change your mind suddenly when you think you are in a pocket
 Never try to save time by cross fr1 In, r1idd1a nf fha block. Automobiles have the right Of way between cops.
 'Go with the traffic signals when you walk. Think twice before you try to dodge across the street while traffic is going the wrong way.
 Stand absolutely still on the curb. think what 1t is you want to do- then do 1t confidently, as long as you are within the traffic rules.
 Don't walk across the street with your head down. Always look in the direction which traffic Is coming from. Don't try to look both ways.
 When you are driving downtown, 1t Is less expensive and dangerous to be considerate than 1t Is to be smart Be a good judge of distances and speed Learn this by practice. Make driving a science.
 Don't drive downtown until you have learned to drive.
 Dogs and children are not respon- sible
 Never try to go faster than the majority of traffic is going. If a driver is trying to cross the street. let him do 1t. Don't be a hog be- cause you think you have the right of way. Practice this one point, be- cause the next time you may be the fellow who is trying to cross the street. Road courtesy can't be got ten through ordinances.
 Keep your short on'--if the other fellow tries a smart driving trick let him pass with a smile. If she Is a menace to safety. take his number.
 Use the golden rule in driving or walking. It pays"