Evening star., 1928-04-15
EDUCATED DRIVING
CALLED SAFETY AID
With Instruction of Pedes'
trian and Children, Acct
dents Would Decrease.

"The reason why We have a traffic ac-
cident problem in this country is be-
cause We have not yet grown up TO our
automobiles" according to Sidney j.
williams. director. public safety division.
National Safety Council, Chicago.
I'VE have put some 100000 motor
vehicles on onr streets and highways,
but only recently has 1t occurred TO us
that these need something besides mud
10 run on. and now we are engaged In a
frantic scramble to build more streets
and highways, wider, with better pave
ments. with adequate signs. signals and
regulations to keep the vehicles from
mortal combat.
"Only recently have we undertaken
the difficult job Of standardizing and
harmonizing our laws and ordinances.
Only recently have our school systems
realized that a child crushed beneath
the wheels of an automobile is a total
loss. In many States we have not yet
recognized the need for taking the half
witted driver of Of our highways
through the operation of drivers H.
cense law. such as Is now taken for
granted in the Eastern States.
Driver Must Take Care.
I'VE have even more TO learn as indi-
viduals. Most automobile accidents
could be avoided IL the man behind the
wheel cared enough. Too many Of US
behave with our automobile like any
small boy with new toy Not only do
we brag about 1t. which Is harmless but
we show off with It. and often with
little or no regard for others. We cut
in ahead Of the other driver counting
on him TO avoid a collision We force
the pedestrian 10 step out of our way
and turn blind eye 10 the mud We
spatter on him. We disregard signs and
signals On residence streets we step
on It, with small regard for the child
who may dart out from behind park
ed car.
IF We really want to stop accidents
the first thing that We must do as In
f1uential and decent citizens is not TO
pass the buck TO the police department
or any one else. but 10 make an humble
and sincere VOW TO drive safely, law
fully and with decent consideration for
the other fellow: to drive always as II
the next child In the streets were our
own child; 10 assume always that the
other driver may be careless or igno-
rant; not to lie or bribe our way out
OF an arrest nor condOne such an act
by any OF our families, friends or aSso-
ciates
we also have. as individual citizens
and parents, a duty 10 our children.
We expect the schools 10 teach our
children 10 brush their teeth, stand
straight and put money In the bank as
well as 10 cross the street safely. and
incidentally pick up little book learn
ing, but We cannot expect the school 10
take the entire responsibility. No child
Who can walk III too young for the first
safety lesson. To keep out Of the street,
and, later, 10 cross In the right place
and at the right time. OF course. this
In somewhat inc0nvenient, because the
effect of the anti-1ayWalking lesson In
impaired II father iG observed breaking
the rule himself.
IF we can honestly say that we are
coming fairly close To an observance of
these responsibilities as individuals, then
we are ready 10 consider what we can
and should do as community, for 1t
Is true that the tfaffic and accident
problem III largely a problem of the
community which can be- solved only by
the community and by the organized
groups which are leaders Of the COM
munity.
| Educational Plans Given.
| ON the educational side of safety
/ we need 10 educate the adults quite as
| mucn al the children, There are defi"
| nlte methods at doing this which have
been tried out In dozens Of cities untii
We can say confidently that thus and
10 is the correct and efficient way
which viii produce results. These
methods include.
| Safety meeting for all commercial
drivers in the city and periiapa an inter
fleet n0~ancident contest,
| Public safety posters on street bull
ietin bcarcs. which may nov be had at
| low cost
One on two safety programs per year
before each civic organization News
paper articles and radio talks.
"A short intensive campaign called y
Safety Education week
"A special bfake~inspection campaign.
II needed"