Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-09-29

ougnly.
All the measures undertaken {
properly cope with existing trahl
conditions have careful considera
ton before being put into effect TIL
Police officials expressly chargeabl
with. and responsible for the regu
lapon of traffic, are constantly con
fronted with new and serious stu
ations. The big lob" is the apply
ing of effectual remedies from tn
limited resources at hand. and whei
It is considered that the resources
are gradually lessenlng. a prope
idea of the strenuousness of theil
task may be had.
Traffic regulation today is NOR,
than a uniformed policeman with {
whistle in his hand, a semaphore Of
light tower. This whole equip
ment means nothing II the public
does not cooperate. To get the co.
operation OF the public they mus
know what the traffic regulations
are. and TO apprise them. efforts
must be made to educate them,
Various efforts have been used by
the New York Department such. as
detailing superior officers to lecture
at large garages. stables. public
schools. etc, in addition. moving pic
lures in the theatres have been util-
lied and printed matter containing
traffic regulations. in small card and
pamphlet form, distributed broad
cast throughout the city.
The force in general is continually
instructed as to the importance of
the traffic problem and to use every
means TO facilitate the movement Of
traffic and TO instruct out OF town
drivers in the use of our streets, so
as not TO infiict the hardship which
a summons or arrest would cause.
Part of the solution of the traffic
problem is first: concise. simple and
just regulation; second. publicity OF
these regulations and third: strict
enforcement of same.
While the formulating OF regula-
tions for the solving OF the traffic
problem in so far as It applies TO
facilitating the free movement OF
traffic over the highways, parking,
one way streets and speed, never
theless, there is another and greater
problem which we are face to face
with which cannot be solved en-
tirely by legislative enactment and
that is the ever increasing loss OF
life, non-fatal injuries and the
enormous economic loss caused by
the automobile.
Insurance publications quote sta
.istlcs indicating that last year the
automobile caused 1880 fatalities
Ind 100000 non-fatal injuries in
he United States, and that the |
economic losses resulting from the |
disabilities caused by the automo-
,ile. including property damage and |
Incidental losses exceeded one bill |
ion dollars. and despite tons OF |
itArature that has been printed and |
distributed, the warnings and de- |
ices that have been perfected to |
prevent accidents, the lists of in |
ured and fatalities continue TO in
rease year after year. until now
hey surpass in number the fatal
ties occurring on the steam rail-
Dads OF the country.
In New York State alone last year
here were s91 persons killed and
$3.50 injured.
All blame cannot be placed upon
he operators of vehicles. We can
ot relieve the burden OF caution
rom the pedestrian to exercise due
are. and when the pedestrian is
utility of negligence. accidents will
al f.,r wv ,f.r1- |
ures taken by the operator. The
driver can only be correct
d by penalties adequately and
osltively administered.
In the scientific regulation Of
-affic the first and most important
.ep IS the education of those to be
egulated. If this principle is fol-
,wed, the work of the police will
e that Of prompters and assistants
T the individuals rather than that
{ enforcers of regulations. Drivers
nd pedestrians, once they know
ielr rights, will themselves become
he real regulators, as they will re-
mt infraction OF those few-a con-
antly diminishing number-at- /
,mpting to override the rights OF ,
hers. This was once a theory, but
, those familiar with the traffic ,
-oblems It has long since proven !
be a fact. 1t IS human nature.
,mmon sense. economical, and {
Geological. Again. II educational I
easures are relaxed, traffic regula- {
on goes backwards.
Every municipality should print 1
nd distribute broadcast copies OF !
Ie traffic regulations for It can be !
I down as traffic axiom that ia {
aliarlty with the printed regula- 7
ons IS the key to effective and econ a
meal traffic management. There G
no substitute. II IS easy TO con- I
oil a trained army. but next to 4
possible to regulate a mob. a
As children are the ones most Il
ten involved in street accidents, It r
they that should receive our first q
,ention. Proper Fairgrounds and Il
creation centers must be provided o
r them in the large cities. They Il
1st be taught the absolute neces- Oh
v of caution when on the streets OIL
d highways. They should be as u
niliar with the rules of the road 81
d the traffic regulations in the
neghborhood of their b,
mes as they are with the simple in
les of hygiene which they are or
ight and so readily absorb. This w
* is not an impossible one and ey
operation between departments in
education. police departments dc
4 childrens welfare organizations tn
conducted will bring as
endid results in this direction. fc
The large number OF children in qu
ed In the non-congested outlying on