Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-11
PEDESTRIANS received with
. enthusiasm the recent rul-
ing of the court here that

JOcy nave the IlSIlG VI way
at intersections even when the
light changes before reaching the
sidewalk. The ruling does not
bring up the question of their
right to start across the street
when the signal is against them,
but gives them legal protection to
gain the pavement unmoleSted
should the amber or red light
flash on before their purpose is
accomplished.
In Full Accord.
Traffic Director William H. Har-
land is thoroughly in accord with
the courts ruling, and states that
at no time has the motoriSt the
right to endanger the life of a
pedestrian. He urges, however,
that courtesy and cooperation
should be given by motoriSt and
pedestrian alike. He advises pc
deStrianS to walk across the street
only on the green light for safe
TVS sake alone. Several persons
have complained to him that
there is not enough time given
them to cross before the light
changes. To this complaint Mr..
Harland recommends that they
wait until the green light has just
come on, and by so doing plenty
of time will be allowed. The over
tapping of the amber light gives
warning of what signal is coming
next. While this system is in
operation only on a few streets at
present, it will be expanded to the
other streets in the near future.
The foregoing clearly indicates
the need of pedestrian control.
Both motorists and pedestrians
have to use the intersections.
Both users should be required to
use a system. Pedestrian control
has worked out we'll in other
cities. At least a fair trial should
be given in the National Capital,
Overlapping Lights.
Referring again to the overlap
ping of the amber lights, the fol-
lowing is a letter sent to Mr..
Harland recently by Edward D.
Shaw, secretary of the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association:
Some time ago you asked me
to give my opinion of the new
method of controlling traffic by
electric lights at points of recent
installation on Connecticut ave-
nue..
In driving back and forth from
Chevy Chase each day have had
an excellent opportunity to watch
and experience the control of
traffic under the old method on
Massachusetts, avenue and the
new method on Connecticut ave-
nue., and wish to assure you of my
unqualified and hearty approval
Of the new method, in which a
shorter interval is used in the
timing of lights and the caution
light appears coincident with the
red or green light for a brief in
terval before the change of lights
is made.
1.-THE overlapping caution signal
is a great aid to the motorist, for
it enables them to have better
control of their cars upon reach
ing the intersection, and the
speeding up of the timing of the
lights eliminates unnecessary de-
lay and incident congestion at
street intersections.
IT trust, therefore, that a sim
liar change may be made in the
control of traffic lights now locat-
ed at other points in the city, and,
furthermore, that the permitting
of left-hand turns on the green
light may also be brought about
at an early date, as is advocated
in the model municipal traffic
ordinance of the National Con-
ference on Street and Highway
Safety, and approval of which
was given by the board of gov
errors of this association at it's
recent meeting"
Angle Parking.
Angle parking on four streets
in the congested downtown sec
ton will be abolished in the near
future, if the recommendation of
the traffic committee of the
Washington Board of Trade is
adopted. This action followed
an address by Mr.. Harland, who
pointed out that angle parking is
tnimical to the frictionlesS move
ment of the large volume of travel
on the streets of the city. He
pointed out also that parallel
parking will provide more street
space and lessen only a small
amount of space available for the
parking of cars.
PROFESSIONALLY the flow of traf-
flc is more important than the
use of the streets for garage pur-
poses.
Following a conference between
Mr.. Harland and Fire Chief Wat
son, it would seem that the speed
Of fire apparatus will not be linn
tied. Precedent of other cities
have had a direct bearing on the
matter. It is to be hoped that
every one will comply with the
present regulations regarding the
approach of the fire department,
and that upon the sound of the
siren the streets will be cleared.
Proper care by every one will pre-
vent recurrence of the recent
tragedy.
This week will find the install
1ation of traffic signals on Rhode
Island avenue northeast between
First and Twelfth streets. The
time is soon coming when the
first Of the avenue of lights in
the congested areas will be placed
in operation. It is thought like
ly that this will be brought about
by the installation of lights on E
street between First and Thir-
teenth streets.
A Novel Decision.
A novel decision was handed
down recently by a Judge in Fred