Evening star., 1925-03-06
Safety in Reciprocity.
d. C. Motorists and Pedestrian,
Urged to Avoid Accidents.


Reciprocity is virtue which is es-
sential to the life. liberty and safety
OF both pedestrians and automobilists
In the streets Of Washington.
So much has been said and, seem
ingly, so little has been accomplished
in the task of making the streets of
Washington safe for the public. Each
day as we scan the lines of our daily
papers we are brought face to face
with some dreadful accident, and as
We read we cannot help but wonder
II our turn Is next
The District of Columbia has laid
down certain laws which govern the
movements of horse and power drawn
vehicles, but where are the laws that
regulate the movements of the Pc
Tdestrfans? This Is not an unheard-
OF question, for some of our most pro-
gressive cities have laws that restrict
l the jay walker and other indulgences
that are practiced here in Washing
ton. Laws for both of the above
mentioned are necessary and will not
impose burden upon either, II each
VIII think Of the other and RENE ber
that each one has an equal right. But
-" o'S bcie scraps Oh payer bSdl-
tered to the four winds if they are
observed by few and allowed to be
uisregarded by many. l do not mean
TO side with either the pedestrian or
the driver, but l believe that each can
De little more thoughtful of the
other and thereby reduce the number
OF accidents In the City OF Washington.
The new traffic bill provides a speed
limit OF 22 miles per hour through the
a GOnPeSted 0f
mean 80 and 40 miles per hour. The
trafic regulations specify that no au-
tomoblle shall pass a street car while
same Is standing still, or is in the
act or stopping, until ali passengers
have reached a point of safety. The
regulations further state that auto
mobiles must not at any time, while
the car Is at rest, or in the act of
stopping, come any closer than Is
| feet from said car. This gives the
passengers ample time TO reach a
point of safety before the traffic
starts. or course, there are certain
wide avenues and streets which do
not come under this law, but even on
those so designated the distance
should be closely observed. Another
thing that l have noticed. especially
or the traffic here in Washington, is
that most of them step on the gas at
| intersections to beat the other fellow
across, rather than step on the brakes
and take time to look before crossing.
when you do this. you not only take
long chance of meeting another per-
son who is just as eager to get there
as you are, but you also endanger the
ives or some who are physically un-
able to get out of the way of a fast
moving vehicle. Slow up while driv-
ing around the circles and don't try
TO form a foot ball Interference so
/ that those on foot cannot pass.
Oftentimes I have waited fully three
minutes at Thomas Circle for the
traffic to pass, and just when l was
IN the act of stepping off the curb,
several times / have noticed the
driver of an approaching car step on
the gas and force me back 10 the
sidewalk. Is that the right spirit, I
ask you? My motto while crossing
every street is stop, look and live. !"
and am sure that these words have
saved my life on several occasions.
Now for a few remarks to those
who walk In the first place, pedes-
! trians should be made 10 cross the
| streets at intersections and not just
| anywhere that they may feel so dis
posed. This gives the automobiles
more freedom and will lessen the
chances of accidents in Washington.
-,
| and surely we can do il here Try
to cross the streets of Birmingham
in the middle of the block and see
what happens! If you are in the act
OF crossing street and a heavily
! loaded truck or automobile is com
ing up the hill, give him the right of
way instead of forcing him to stall
his engine under heavy load. When
you are crossing any street and, meet
an automobile, give the signal so that
the driver of the car will know what
, you are going to do. He is Just as
anxious to know which way YOU are
going as you are TO know the route
that he is going to take This is es-
pecially important on the circles.
! Give him the right of way by stand
Ing perfectly still. motioning to him
| TO proceed, and see II you don't feel
better for having done so. TRY Il
oncc-it won't hurt you or cost you a
| penny.
! These are just few suggestions
that I have found very helpful. and I
believe that IL both parties would
! cooperate in this matter we would
solve some of the causes of accidents
here in Washington, If he or she
gives You the right of way, tip your
hat or in some way give the signal
that you really appreciated the favor.
| This is far better than the growl that
| you often get, and, besides, growls
! and frowns cause wrinkles while
smiles take them away. Try it,
| T ,TSHTPE