Evening star., 1923-04-08
SULLIVAN URGES
. STUDY OF TRAFFIC
Praises FubIic's Aid in Effort
to Cut Down Serious
Mishaps.

lndorsing a continuance of the SAFETY
first campaign in order That pubic
opinion may be nodded to more and
more appreciate the need Of traffic law
Enforcement, Maj. Sullivan, chief of po-
lice, yesterday afternoon pointed out
that tho serious accident situation
which existed in the city several months
ago has been placed under control
within the past two months result
OF the cooperation of the public.
1.-The police department feels that the
posters recently displayed on the streets
have materially assisted to keep the
subject OF accident prevention constant
iy before the public and to thus assist
in obtaining a great public conscious
ness" he said.
The schools for automobile drivers
are tending TO place more efficient
and careful drivers behind the wheels
of our commercial vehicles. The ac-
rivities of our various associations
and civic organiZstio are producing
results by bringing the matter of
safety before the members of their
respective organizations.
Advocates Analyses.
I'm addition 20 the educational
work, it is essential that organiza-
tions such as the traffic committee Of
the Washington Safety Council make
continuous study and analysis of
the accidents which have and are oc
curing in the city. This study should
be followed by careful recommends
tionS. based on experience, Indicating
where physical conditions Should be
changed. or existing regulations inn
proved in order to cope with the
ever-increasing conditions and to re-
move causes of preventable accidents.
I'm general the police department
beSpeakS the continued cooperation
of the citizens of Washington in Its
earnest desire to assist in the public
safety campaign.
There are two predominant causes
of traffic accidents" the reckless
driver, who does not feel any respon-
sibility for the lives of others. but
simply drives his machine to suit his
own selfish convenience.
And the citizen VINO either ignorant
~ or careleSSly crosses streets without
first seeing If II is safe to do so. When
such a person steps out from behind
Il standing automobile it is frequently
difficult for the approaching machine,
no matter how careful the driver may
be, to stop before striking the pedes-
trian. In general both the motorist
and pedestrian have definite respon
sibilittes in the prevention of acci
dents.
Law enforcement can be efficient
only insofar as ii carries out pub
lie opinion expressed by the ma
tority of the best-thinking citizens
of the community. Laws, especially
traffic laws. were not enacted to cur
tail personal liberty, but to safeguard
lives and property by prohibiting
recklessness on the part OF the small
number who have no respect for the
safety of others. The individual
motorist who respects the rights and
liberties OF others, and who is en-
vent accideitS, will have no difficulty
Police Servants of Public.
1.-The officers of the metropolitan po-
lice force are the servants of the
public and are employed to enforce
the wishes of the majority as ex-
pressed by the existing laws. These
men should be considered as the
friends of every citizen or visitor who
wishes the streets of the city to be
maintained In a safe condition. The
police officer, standing in the middle
of the street intersection at the time
YOU endeavor to cross, is paid out of
the public funds to assist you in
crossing safely. 1t is to the benefit
of the public that this officer be !
maintained at his station. not be
forced to go to court In order to ap-
pear against violators. Arrests cost !
the public money and the police do I,
not care to make them, except when !
1t Is necessary for the public good