New Britain herald., 1926-11-13

and concerned themselves not at
 all with the quadrupeds
 There is question in the minds
 of the police whether the great
 number of dog accidents is actual
 ly an increase over that of former
 years, their theory being that prior to practice of prosecuting drivers who failed to stop after such acci- dents many simply drove on after i striking dog and did not bother about making report. The police
 reason that there is some increase 1 In canine deaths due to the increas- 1 ing use of the streets for vehicu,ar traffic. but practically every injured or killed dog case is reported now, whereas few came to public atten- ton in the past.
 In one case, the police court judge stated from the bench that dogs have equal rights with vehicles and persons on the public streets and it is incumbent on drivers to exer- else reasonable care to avoid strik- ing them. This ruling came as the result of an attempt byta driver to justify his failure to stop by declar- ing his belief that his car had the right of way over th dog.
 Much has been said for and against reckless drivers of motor vehicles. but comparatively little about the pedestrians who, unknow-,
 ngly, no doubt. contribute their share to the accident. and death columns to great extent.
 It is not necessary to go further than New Britain, especially at prominent points about the center, to find scores of pedestrians, young and old who certainly do live up to that twentieth century cognomen of dumbbell.
 There are officers stationed at the corner of Church and Main, Arch and Main and other crossings considered dangerous during traffic rushes. But it is evident that the officers need as many hands as a centipede has feet to keep the popu- lace from becoming depleted every five minutes by being struck by motor vehicles. A stranger in town would think that people did not understand the English language or that the policeman was placed in his position simply as an ornament or something to be scoffed at.
 It is true everyone Is In hurry more or less to get to dinner or back to their places of employment in as short period of time as possible, but the sight of people being es- corted back to their places on the sidewalk every time the officer gives signal for the cars to pass, Is be- coming annoying to other citizens who do all they can to uphold the law and order.
 To remain on the sidewalk does not mean half way out on the road. It will perhaps be necessary to place signs showing where the sidewalk ends and the road begins if the nuisance keeps up.
 Tn Hartford, if pedestrians step off the sidewalk before the signal is given they are promptly remind ed of the fact and if they persist ill disobeying, arc arrested. In other large cities the same rule is in ef- feet and results are evident at all times.
 The average citizen does not like to see his brother citizens taken in toll by the law but if they cannot be governed by the law of common sense and safety it may be necessary for the police to take stern lead in the matter, and rid the citN of the iay-walkers, half jay-walkers and third jay-walkers. that Is, those who cross the road entirely, those who stand half way over and those who step off the curb just far enough to make 1t dangerous for themselves.