Evening star., 1924-11-10

| condition. They cross the intersec-
ton when the machine has entered
the crossing and Is half way over
| and has the right of way. They
seem to delight in the confusion and
irritability of the drivers as they
strip their gears and jam on the
emergency brakes. 1t is true that
this sometimes occasions impolite re-
marks from the drivers. They are
really not "jay-walkers' they are mad
walkers"
Should Obey Signs.
Pedestrians should realize that the
stop p-stop" and "go-go"sign also ap-
plies to them. Indeed its primary
object is to protect the walker. In
many cities the signals are operated
according to. the pedestrian travel,
which the traffic follows, but gen.
orally it controls the vehicular traffic
which the pedestrian must follow.
But it all means that vehicles and
pedestrians must go in the same
direction when the way is clear.
The white lines painted at cross
ings are not meant for ornaments.
While it is hard to realize that these
white lines are the only protection
between the walker and driver, i'm
agination should visualize them as
high stone fences through which no
driver can pass with impunity. This
being so, remember under no circum-
stances to cross a street Intersection
diagonally. This practice puts to
naught the entire scheme OF traffic
regulation and is a prolific cause of
accidents.
Keep Your Eyes Open.
Other important factors to be taken
into consideration by the pedestrian
are that they should look out for
autos coming around corners; for
traffic at alleys; for backing and
turning cars; that they should not
pass behind a street car or get out
of an auto on the left-hand side An
other good rule to remember LIS to
look to the left before stepping from
the curb. and when at center of street
to look to right.
Statistics show that the non-ob-
servance of these rules of walking is
the contributary cause of the major
ity of accidents.
One of the most dangerous prac-
tices connected with the traffic situa-
tion is promiscuous skating in the
streets. Many serious accidents have
happened because Of this and near
accidents are a daily occurrence. We
do not want TO deprive children of
their play. but safety requires that
skating be prohibited in the streets
If it is allowed special streets should
be designated and closed during the
times skating is had, Children dart
ing out from the sidewalk after a
ball or to prevent being caught are
also prolific causes of accidents and
should be prevented. Education as to
the danger OF such practices would
seem TO be the only way to reach this
evil. AS a matter of fact, all play
should be prohibited in the streets.
Streets for Vehicles.
If it were properly and constantly
stressed that streets are for vehicles
and sidewalks for pedestrians, there
would, no doubt, soon be a decrease
in our casualty list.
1t will be noted that the fore
word" of the traffic regulations is
simply advisory and not mandatory
and that there are no regulations
promulgated anent pedestrian traffic.
The time will no doubt come when
Jay walking" regulations will pro-
tect him from himself
There is no valid reason why
drivers and walkers should not CO.
operate in the observance of the rules
of safety. Operators should be safe
drivers and everything that name i'm
plies, and pedestrians should be care
full walkers and govern themselves
accordingly. With safe drivers and
careful walkers functioning, accidents
would be restricted to a minimum.
perhaps it would be the millennium.
After all. the solution of the Jay
walking" problem is simply to watch
your STEP