Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-22
HARMONY BETWEEN MOTOR
AND FOOT TRAFFIC NEEDED
Automobiles and Pedestrian Held to Have
Some Objects In Common as
Well as Conflict.

Impatiently crowding onto the street on
the part OF persons on foot, while Il Is
the turn Of vehicles to pass through,
lessons the space available for trahic
and correspondingly slows down its
progress. When pedestrians are guilty
Of disregarding traffic signals they
should be subjected to the same repr1-
mands and fines that befall drivers Of
vehicles who disobey the regulations.
/ Street Intersection Rules.
At street intersections not under DO
lice control pedestrians have the right
of way, providing warning Of intention
to cross has been given to the ap-
preaching driver. This does not mean
that persons on foot should cross re-
gardless Of traffic, but that both pedes-
TRAN and automobilist should proceed
with care at unregulated street inter-
sections.
At protected corners the driver should
yield the right of way when turning
right or left to pedestrians crossing in
the direction Of trafic. Persons on
foot should cross only in this direction
Of moving trafic.
That vehicles should have the right
OF way over people on foot, between
street intersections, is recognized by
most individuals as highly desirable,
but few municipalities have been able
to successfully enforce this regulation.
Jay walking-the mingling of pedes-
TRANS with vehicles on the Streets
considered one Of the most fertile
causes Of accidents and of the slowing
up OF the passage Of vehicles.
Jay-waIking Regulations.
A report Of the Committee Of JksSic
Control Of washington in 1924 esti-
mated that when anti Jay walking reg
ulations had been enforced the ca
pactty Of the streets had been in
creased from 10 to 20 per cent and
accidents had correspondingly de-
creased. The pedestrian may feel that
his rights are imposed upon by not
being able to cross in front of moving
trafnc at any time and any place when
he SO desires, but when he considers
the danger not only to himself but to
others whom his act may affect, he
should realize that the general safety
enjoyed overbalances the inconvenience
to himself.
AS long as there are no physical
barriers to keep people from running
in front Of moving traffic there should
exist a feeling Of fair play on the
part Of the pedestrian toward the
driver Of the automobile, upon whom
there are very definite limitations. Co
operation can take the form Of as
Stunning for himself no more rights be-
tween street intersections than the
driver possesses when he gets into the
cross-walk area. In this connection
the pedestrian will also refrain from
lettering or remaining In the street.
He will look in both directions before
leaving the curb and will not plunge
headlong in front of oncoming We
hicles and cause drivers to not only
endanger their own lives and property,
but those of others also.
Safety and Fair Play.
The person who waits on the curb
instead Of the street for a trolley, and
who makes sure the way Is clear when
alighting from q street car, not only
safeguards himself, but plays fair with
the vehicle driver.
Improved traffic conditions must
come from a realization on the part Of
the public. whether walking or driving,
that its own interest lies in maintain
ing an orderly and well regulated
movement on both the streets and side
walks.