Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09
BY II. CLIFFORD BRoKAW,
Automobile Technical Writer.


The pledge regarding safety in auto
mobile operations which many troops
Of Boy Scouts have adopted might well
be incorporated in the creed Of all indi-
viduals, young and old. This pledge
includes the promise to cultivate safety
ideals In the minds and hearts Of
others and to assist public officials in
every possible way to increase safety In
automobile traf1c. The plan which has
been devised by the Boy Scout Founda-
ton of Greater New York and the Police
Department has in 1t ideas which might
be adopted in any community by any
group OF citizens vitality interested in
human welfare.
Protection Of Children.
Take, for instance. the matter OF pro-
tecting children at street crossings.
With the consent and approval of the
principal Of the school adjacent to
crossings which need guarding, safety
patrols Of older students might be or
ganized. The duties of such patrols
will be at street crossings In the vicin-
tty Of school buildings. They will be
on the job just after school is let out
in the afternoon and just before 1t be-
gins in the morning.
Children who live in the city are
the facilities or places in which to play
that suburban youngsters have. To
help such a condition and reduce the
number Of child accidents side streets
Which do not carry heavy traffic have
been set aside for the exclusive use of
children at play. No vehicles pass
through. However, such reserved sec
tons Of the city streets do not occur in
liberal quantity, and many hundreds Of
children find themselves at play on
streets through which there is con-
tinued passing Of traffic. They should
be taught to restrict their play to the
sidewalks only and never to cross the
streets by themselves.
The Boy Scouts have been taught q
rule which Is excellent and can be
easily implanted in the minds of other
children. It pertains to the crossing of
thoroughfares, and reads:
When crossing q street, cross only
at regular crossings. Go straight across,
but before crossing always look first to
the left and then to the right for ap-
preaching vehicles, aid allow safe dis
lance when crossing ahead of trafic.
Watch for and obey traffic officer"
Street Car Danger Cited.
| Street cars present a source Of dan
ger. Automobile drivers are not al
| lOWSQ 10 dppIOhCn W4Iilln IcCI Vi
the entrance Of the car, and should
wait until passengers have gained the
sidewalk. Persons on foot should never
walk around, behind or In front Of a
standing car or other vehicle until they
make sure nothing approaches on the
other side.
Stealing rides by "hitching on" be-
hind motor cars while on roller skates,
bicycles, express wagons, ETC., is the
delight of many a boy. But an ex-
ceedingly dangerous practice and a fire.
quent cause of serious injury it is.
Sometimes the boys fall from the We
hicles while they are in motion, some
times they slip while holding on and
can be struck by q car following be-
hind, which often does not have time
enough to stop and avoid an accident.
Perhaps the truck Is most inviting to
the boy who wants q ride" and driv-
ers of such vehicles especially need to
be on the watch.
Ban on Begging Rides.
Begging rides Is another practice that
is discouraged by Boy Scouts, for the
welfare of the boys who ask for rides
as well as the occupants of the auto
mobile. There Is danger In being struck
by other cars and of causing accidents
by distracting the attention of the
driver
Winter months are soon here and
whenever children find an incline and
snow they will bring out their sleds and
coast. The motor car driver needs to
be careful when approaching and pass