Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-01-24
LAST NIGHTS ACCIDENT

The police department is to be commended for the excellent
work if did in connection with the accident on State street last
night. An automobile with a drunken driver behind the wheel ran
down three men, killing one outright and injuring the other two.
THE automobile did not stop and there was but little evidence to
work in in identifying it..
Taking such meagre information as they could secure, the
police set to work and within a few hours not only had arrests
made, but had secured a confession that cleared up the whole at
fair. 1t was a fine piece of detective work and reflects great credit
en the men who were assigned to the job.
Tt is interesting to note that not only has the man who was
driving the automobile been arrested, but the saloonkeeper whom
lie accuses of selling him the booze also has been taken into Gus
tody. It must have been terrible stuff that the automobile driver
drank to put him in the condition that he evidently was last night
Surely there must be some responsibility on the part of the man
who sold him the drink.
This fellow had not right to sell liquor in the first place. He
was deliberately violating the law. And the fact that, due to the
stuff he served illegally a fatal accident occurred would seem to
make him more or less a party to the crime. There IS no more
1eniencv due the saloonkeeper than the automobile driver.
But there is another phase to this case that ought to receive
sas attention Of the authorities. This is the matter of sidewalks on
State street leading to the plants OF the American 0mel'ng p"
paen;no comnanv and the United Lead Works. The sidewalks
ought to be put in first class shape and pedestrians ought to be
compelled to walk on them instead of in the middle OF the street.
with automobile traffic as heavy as it is, even with the most care
ful driving the wonder is that more persons are not hit after DARK
when they persist in walking in the street. Ii headhghts are
turned on full the driver coming in the opposite direction IS
blinded by the light and he is very apt to hit someone; on the
other hand, to dim the headlights means that the persons walking
IN the street cannot be seen at all and the danger IS all the greater
great many instances pedestrians refuse to step ASIDE
rben an automobile approaches. They evidently argue 1nt thy
hore q much right to the highway as the automobile has But
have thew if they are in the middle of the street, surely 'here
onebt to be some protection for the careful driver.
If there is not already such a law, one should De ac'7 I0"
oerlino sidewalks to be laid in all municipalities. lheh equaI &c
iaonsibiltv should be placed on the pedestrian If he is injured
while walking in the middle of the street. Vehicles are not ALLOW"
ii On the sidewalk, therefore pedestrians ought not to be allowed
"a the street except at crossings and at certain deslgna'eo pl"'eS
At least they ought not to be allowed to walk IN the street
In tbe accident last night there is no telling what might nave
hannenoa as the driver Of the automobile was drunk. There is nc
rvensa for him. But some consideration ought to be given the
antomobile driver under ordinary conditions. People who walk
IL the road or the middle of the street these days, especially after
.dora- ara deliberately inviting danger. 1t is a practice that ought
to be stopped.