The Washington times., 1929-01-26

II the QOWm-lDWu area, AHUuIe
are on the statutes but are no
This opinion Of the writer is not
only shared by others who have
made a special study of pedestrian
automobile traffic in other cities, but
Is the firm conviction Of NJ o. Ed,
ridge, assistant director Of traffic,
who has for many years been identt
fled with motoring and traffic prob
lens III the Nations Capital.
The need for pedestrian control Is
axemplified by figures Of the Traffic
Bureau showing that last year there
were SO traffic deaths in the District
of Columbia attributable to automo.
biles and street cars and 2,91S in
jlries, of which majority were
pedestrians.
Regulations for the control and
protection of pedestrians have be.
come q vital factor, At some time
during each day everyone becomes
q pedestrian. The movement Of
pedestrians at intersections should
be controlled, not only by lights. but
should be concentrated between
definitely marked cross-walks.
Absolute Protection
Some cities give pedestrians abso.
lutte protection by means of separate
intervals, during which all vehicular
traffic is stopped, but they do SO
frequently at the cost Of considerable
delays ana resultant traffic jams.
DR.. Miller McClintock. director Of
tha Erskine Foundation for Traffic
Research of Harvard University,
who designed the system Of pedes-
trian control in Los Angeles, believes
that this type Of regulation is appli-
cable under certain conditions.
II this be true, then let Washing
ton learn from Los Angeles.
IN q recent address E. B. LET.
1erts, of the Automobile Club Of
Southern California, said:
Our present regulation calls for
the prolongation Of the sidewalk
lines across the street. These lines
are divided In the center by another
white line, making In effect d large
letter .sH1 between the curbs, with
the cross.bar Of the letter in the
center Of the street. a motorist is
compelled to stop and remain stand
Ing while pedestrian Is In that half
Of the lane on the side of the street
upon which the na0to1ist is travelling
until the pedestrian has passed be.
yoad the path Of the vehicle.
Has Right of Way
Courts OF the District of CoIun.
bia. as well as all over the coun-
try have ruled that a pedestrian
within his proper lane or crosswaik
has rigl1t-of-way over all other traf-
fic movements. Two decisions in
the local courts have established be.
yond doubt that at crosswalk
pedestrian, once having left the
way until he reaches the opposite
side. The effect OF these decisions
IS wholesome upon the motorist.
the opinion that the pedestrian
can do no wrong"
From a sane practical viewpoint,
both the pedestrian and the motor
to these respective rights work no
DC these respective rights work no
hardship on either class BY virtue
0f the fact that every motoriSt is
pedestrian and also that most
pSQcSlAth14& at Nlltl5Gs are 1lOI0HlSlGs5
The important principles Of traf.
fic may be summarized as the
three Els Educa tional, Engineer
ing and Enforcement.
The operators Of motor vehicles
cannot be expected to understand
and realize unusual requirements
at intersections. Sufficient informal
tion should be afforded bY means
Of signs and pavement markings,
all of which should be so placed
as to be easily and quickly seem
Every. advantage should be taken
or opportunities to give newspaper
publicity to traffic regulations.
Campaign Of Education
"A consistent campaign OF educa-
ton Id the schools. BY means OF
course Of lectures given at fre.
Quent intervals throughout the
school year by traffic officer.
should be inaugurated and carried
Ouk
Under the laws Of North Carolina.
the State Highway Commission was
ordered to have sufficient number
Of copies Of the State traffic laws
tO supply each high school teacher