The Washington times., 1926-03-17
CHRYSLER Tells
Of HIS TRIP

Everywhere real progress IL being
made in meeting problems Of motor
vehicular and pedestrian traffic
control, reports Walter p. Chrysler,
president and chairman Of the board
OF directors of the Chrysler Corpora
tion. who recently visited Los An
geles, San Francisco, Portland,
Seattle, Tacoma, Salt Lake City.
Denver. Omaha, Kansas City, and
Chicago. and while in each of those
cities took advantage of the oppor-
tunity to Sc TO what extent the re-
spective cities had adapted them
selves to the needs of motor traffic.
Los Angeles is probably one OF
the best regulated cities In the
United States,' said Mr.. Chrysler.
There, the pedestrian knows that
traffic rules and regulations are for
his safety as we'll as for the con-
venience Of the motorist. In Los
Angeles the pedestrian has been
taught to observe traffic signals
The result Is that traffic moves
rapidly and with safety. And Los
Angeles has an unusually high per-
centage Of motor cars In proportion
to population; In fact, one OF the
highest In the United States.
American cities, too, are paying
more and more attention to the
compilation Of accident statistics.
There is q breaking away from the
time-honored plan Of describing all
accidents In which motor sar
participates. as an automobile ac-
cident. Available figures now show
what the driver was doing, whether
he failed to have the right of way,
whether he was exceeding the speed
limit, whether he was on the wrong
side Of the road, whether he failed
to signal. whether he was cutting
left corner, whether he was cutting
in. whether he was backing, wheth.
er he drove Off the roadway, whefh.
er he passed standing street car,
whether he drove through safety
zone. etc. The figures show, too,
what the pedestrian was doing,
whether he was walking. running
or playing in the street, whether he
was jay-walking, whether he was
at work in roadway, etc.
In compiling accident statistics
more attention is being given to
vehicle vs. pedestrian, whether motor
hicle vs.. street car, motor vehicle
vs.. railroad train. etc.
More and more cities are making
studies OF the problems Of com.
munity safety and are making sur
veys to find practical ways OF re.
ductng accidents of all types. In
this connection the National Safety
Council is doing splendid work, in
cooperation with safety committees
OF associations and chambers of
commerce.
Cities are making greater use Of
appropriate traffic signs ana pave.
ment markings. The use Of safety
zones is becoming ~commoner. The
use Of through streets is being tried
with success.
1.-THE more cities I visit ana more
study this whole problem Of traf-
fic accidents the more impressed I
am with the constant need for gen.
eral safety education. The news
papers of the United States have
already done splendidly in making
public information about traffic
safety, but there Is still much to be
done.
"The work must be started with
the children in the schools. They
signals and avoid taking chances.
This Is no small task and a real
responsibility to supplement- the
work Of the school rests upon the
parent.
Traffic problems are getting ma
tional. attention. and 1t Is well to
note that genuine progress is being
made in meeting those problems
The American people are showing
characteristic enterprise in adapting
cities to the needs Of motor vehIcu-
lar traffic"