The Washington herald., 1922-09-22
Needed-A Little Common Sense.

i aid has from time to time lambasted the mo-
toring section of population for infractions of
the traffic regulations failure to exercise due
in plotting their machines through congested
thoroughfares and occasionally forgetting they do
not have a lease the public streets. With
right good will have recommended the most
drastic punishment for speeders and penalty fall
ing only little short of hanging for driving with
glarng headlights within the city limits. The,
faults OF the motorist many and we have not
hesitated to condemn them in the past and hope
not to condone them in the future. But for the
nonce we are forced to look at the other side of
the picture 1t is trite but nevertheless true, say
there are two sides to every question and in con-
templating the misdeeds of automobile drivers we
are forced to observe that in many instances pedes
trans by means blameless for accidents in
which motor figure
Just there careless, thoughtless automo-
bile drivers there thoughtless and careless
pedestrians. In order to reduce accidents to
minimum there must be clear observance of the
rules and spirit of give and take on both sides.
No good purpose is served if driver exercises
every and obeys all regulations if some pedes-
trian carelessly arrogantly hogs" the right-of
way. Indeed, it is arrogant feeling, fostered
presume somewhat by that sour grapes" attitude,
the part of walkers, which causes large per-
centage Of accidents
How foolish it is for a pedestrian to dispute
the right-of-way with automobist! Just as
foolish for the driver of a "hivver" to contest
a crossing with railroad train. Even though the
drivers intention be OF the best-and there are
mighty few who would willfully into person
there still remains the mechanical element to be
considered. Even running at slow speed, heavy
car cannot be stopped in much less than six feet
IT, perchance, the brakes are not in the best con-
ha JO,h1 hofo 49,
machine is brought to a standstill, despite every
thing the driver may do. Yet every day there are
pedestrians who, with full knowledge of the ap-
preach OF automobile signaled to proceed by
a traffic policeman, will deliberately step off the
curb and leisurely start across the street. This
type, when warned by the motorists horn, will
stare contemptuously in his direction and more
likely than not slacken his deliberate pace and
practically dare the motorist to hit him. In such
a contingency the driver must either jam his
brakes quickly and hard as possible, thereby
damaging brake-bands and tires, or attempt to
dodge the pedestrian In either case there is
strong possibility of accident. If the walker es-
capcs, he she-for this type is evenly divided
as to sex-will be likely to turn at the curb with
a malicious and triumphant sneer.
If this same person approaching a rail-
road crossing and saw heavy locomotive bear
ing down him he would hesitate before getting
in the path OF the onrushing mass of metal. For.
despite outward evidences, he values his life con-
sderaby and knows the efforts of the engineer
would avail little to bring his train to a standstll
in time to avoid collision
:. Of fairness should be enough to impel
the pedestrian to go "fity-ffty with the motorist
and not cause unnecessary Inconvenience. If he is
lacking in this element, then a due regard for his
own health and safety should cause him to exer-
else in disputing the rght-of-way with auto
mobiles.
1t is a simple mathematical proposition. The
chances all in favor OF the pedestrian being
injured. He is trusting his life to the quick wit
and strength of the driver and to the mechanical
safeguards provided by the manufacturer. The best
OF brakes sometimes fail to work in an emergency:
the best driver sometimes becomes flustered in
pinch. The odds are all against the pedestrian
Common sense is the only remedy-common
sense tnctured with a spirit OF fairness and good
craftsmanship We recommend to all Washing
ton pedestrians that little thought be given this
matter. 1t will reduce traffic accidents and make
life pleasant, alike for pedestrian and mo-
torist