The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-08-02
Safety First

are worthy of careful reading:
New England newspapers and some
in other sections of the country have
been commenting upon the sugges-
tons made by Chief of Police Watts
of Portland to render the streets OF
Portland comparatively safe. These
suggestions have been widely copied
and highly commended. The editors
generally seem to think that Chief
Watts contribution to the general dis
cussion of how to render city streets
safer for automobilists and pedes-
TRANS alike Is very valuable one.
Chief Watts divided his decalogue
of safety into ten suggestions. Five
of these suggestions are for those who
operate motor cars and five are for
those who walk. To the pedestrians
Chief Watts suggests:
Never cross streets at other than
regular crossings. This is 'jaywalk-
ing This reckless practice causes
one-half of our street accidents.
Don't cross the street directly be-
hind a street car. There may be an
other on the opposite track or an
automobile you cannot see.
Before stepping from the curb see
that vehicular traffic is at a stand
still. Threading traffic is inviting
injury or death.
avoid cutting diagonally from cor
ner to corner at street intersections.
Two lines of traffic to watch doubles
your risk or injury
always look both ways when cross
ing streets. The sidewalk is safe,
but death turks in the roadway"
If all who walk, and this, of course
includes every man, woman and child,
could be brought to study these sug-
gestions of the Chief of Police and
live up to them the number of accid-
ents would be greatly decreased. They
are simple rules but they are not
generally observed. Hardly day
passes that the newspapers do not
record some accidents which are due
to failure to adhere to these COM
mon sense suggestions.
To the parents of children Chief
Watts makes this address:
parents are primarily responsible
for the safety of their children. Daily
instructions as to street dangers and
how to avoid them is a serious duty
parents owe Where possible, the
playing of games should be confined
to sidewalks, parks or streets set
aside for play purposes. Encourage
children to keep out of roadways, es-
pecially on streets where there is
considerable traffic moving. Teach
them to look both ways before cross
ing streets"
Comparatively few parents take the
pains to give their offspring instruc-
ton as to how they shall conduct
themselves when upon the streets
Every child permitted to go abroad
on the street of this and every other
city is in momcntary danger. They
heedlessly rush out into the roadway
In pursuit of a ball or a plaything.
They chase one another across the
street giving no heed to the approach
ing automobiles. Careful as autoists
may be they cannot always avoid run
ming down children who pay no at
tention to signals or warning horns.
A great amount of suffering and mis-
cry could be avoided II ally parents
took the pains to talk more frequent
ly 10 their children about their con-
duct when they are on the streets.
To tho drivers of automobiles Chief
Watts offers this advice:
Look out for children. Though
playing on the sidewalk, they may
suddenly run into the street. Many
are injured yearly in this manner
trso oh
if he is careless, you will deeply re-
greet any injury he may suffer. Most
auto accidents occur when driving
fast-better delay than death.
Accidents are always unexpected
therefore, drive carefully at all
times, using chains in slippery wea-
Their.
"Keep your brakes in good order.
Your life and the lives Of many others
depend on your ability to stop instant
~. You can't do 1t with neglected
brakes.
Study traffic rules. Obey them.
Ignorance Is no excuse. They are
written for you, and may be had at
any police station"
There Is not one of these sugges-
tions that Is not important. Per
haps experienced autom bi
would be inclined to say that the one
concerning the brakes is the most val
liable of the lot, but brakes, however
good they may be cannot be relied
upon to stop a car which is being
driven too fast The driver who
keeps his car under control, that Is
so he would be able to stop 1t within
a short distance in an emergency Is
the one who will avoid accidents
A great deal of trouble and suffer
ing could be eliminated If every auto
mobile driver read these suggestions
carefully and then made an effort II
] live LIN To thnm-Portland Pres!