Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-24
A Deplorable Accident.

Yesterdays QeplOrdDl6 hCClQellb, III
which two women we're seriously in
jured when struck by the speeding auto
mobile of battalion fire chief just after
they had alighted from a street car
should point the way to measures de-
signed to reduce the possibilities OF
such occurrences. These measures
should include an order from the Dis
trict authorities which places the auto
mobiles of chiefs of battalions in Sec
ondary class to that of the fire engines,
street-car regulation which would pro-
hibit the doors of standing car being
opened while fire engine was passing
and general warning to the public
that the street pavement is a dangerous
place for both pedestrians and motor
lists when the screaming sirens of fire
engines make their presence known in
that vicinity.
1t is an accepted theory, and logical
one, in all parts of the world that fire
apparatus should have the right of way
over all other kinds of trafdc. Speed in
reaching the scene of conf1agration
may mean the saving of persons from a
horrible death and the preservation of
property. It is difficult to see, however,
why this right of way should apply with
equal force to the small cars of chiefs
as it does to the fire engine apparatus
Certainly, if chiefs car arrived even
five minutes later than did the engines
the efficiency of the fire-fighting force
would not be lessened, as hose could be
laid and machinery set in motion to
receive the orders of the superior when
he reached the scene of the confiagra-
ton, If orders were necessary. 1t is
automatic that the fewer speeding ma
chimes on the street the fewer accidents.
The fact that the accident yesterday
occurred on the wrong side of the street
car-that is, the wrong side as far as
ordinary traffic is concerned-does not
serve as means of fixing responsibility
for the mishap. Fire apparatus not only
has the right of way, but is permitted to
violate all traffic regulations when on an
emergency run. In nine cases out of ten
it would be far safer for the driver of
the speeding department automobile to
pass on the wrong side of street car
which was discharging passengers rather
than on the inside, where the space
was narrow with the discharged pas
sengers probably made nervous by the
sound of the siren. It is obvious, there
fore, that no passengers should be al
lowed to alight from a car until the ap-
paratus. has passed the stopping point.
Not only did these two unfortunate VIC
tins descend to the street, but they
walked In front of the street car. a
dangerous practice at any time, and
directly into the path of the fire chiefs
automobile.
Time and time again 1t has been
demonstrated In Washington that
neither pedestrians nor motorists pay
the attention they should to the warn
ings emitted from the sirens of fast
moving fire engines. Instead of scurry-
ing to q place of safety on the curb
pedestrians in many cases apparently
ignore the warning of approaching dam
ger and stand where they are In the mid
die of the street, while motorists, with
seemingly the same complex of immu-
nifty from the menace of these unwieldy
vehicles. blithely continue on their way
The fire sirens can be heard for blocks
and ample time is given for all those or
the street, either walking or in automo.
biles, to attain place of safety.
The public is shocked at such an &C.
cident as occurred yesterday. and want.
no repetition of it. With slowing dowr
of the fre-chief class of automobiles, Z
regulation which will keep street-cal
passengers inside the cars until dangeI
is passed and the degree of cooperation
from the public which has been 81
long denied, there should be no repeti
ton. It is matter that concerns ever,
resident of the District of Columbia, ant
its Importance should assure the mos
earnest consideration.
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