Evening star., 1932-09-23

T.,
the only answer is the question, Why
should 1t be? Something Of the duty
Of protecting those afoot ought to be
placed upon the man at the wheel as
well as upon the walkers themselves.
Self-protection is Natures first law, no
doubt, but that is very little reason why,
in modern associations OF human beings,
called communities. and claiming to be
civilized the entire responsibility should
be placed on the man who wants to
avoid being hurt. There ought to be
a similar responsibility to avoid hurt
ing, and there is, Of course. but some
people pay no attention to 1t, evidently.
This taking thought on the part Of
the motorist, not on that OF the walker.
is particularly necessary In the case OF
three of the smaller creatures. 1t is OF
no use to say that they should look
out; the reason for this action is only
too plainly evident But the truth
seems to be that they are too small to
look out" In the way the onrusher
demands the four-legged ones do not
possess the understanding requisite for
this elf-protection.
There is nothing In the whole race
history Of the animals which gives them
the slightest understanding of the speed
of the modern automobile. Indeed,
there Is some question whether man
kind Is much better of in this respect
airplane speeds of 800 miles an hour
are almost astronomical. compared
with the average mans genuine con-
This is plainly shown in the tragic
accidents at railroad crossings, where
so many cruel collisions have proved
that even automobile operators, faced
with q smooth gliding train coming at
60 miles an hour, are in danger of un-
derestimating the speed
1t is no wonder, therefore, that a
creature on four legs (as well as many
a little one on two) who cannot read.
write or estimate-in fact, cannot
speak, or read or scarcely know its own
name-is not in the least able to real
ize that a motor car is coming after it
at a speed OF 40 miles an hour, and will
actually catch 1t before 1t has time to
cross the road.
Looked at in this elementary FASH
ion. it is instantly senSed. a pedestrian
may well believe, by almost any one,
that there is no hope for a lessing OF
trafflc accidents unless the motorists
take to their own hearts and minds the
necessity for some action on their part.
/
only believing that walkers will get out
of their way but Of confidently expect
ing that they will.
Particularly the small creatures need
some one to stick up for them. to voice
their lack OF understanding. and their
inability to comprehend modern
speeds. II any one doubts the need for
this spokesmanship, he will be remind
ed OF 1t some day by the sight of a
dog bathed in its own blood. living by
the side Of the road like an old doormat
Even sensitive persons, who are in the
| habit of giving consideration to the
rights and happiness OF others, includ-
ing the brute creatures, are inclined
at times when driving to forget the
plain needs Of the creatures.
Although they have the largest
| theoretical comprehension OF the
necessity for slowing down to see what
an animal is going to do. in actual
driving they. too, often act solely as
If they expected the creature TO know
enough TO get out of the way.
Their speed shows that they conf
IDENTIFY believe that it will 60 right
straight ahead. whereas experience
often demonstrates that the glare of the
headlight may Blind it, confuse it.
and cause 1t to turn in its tracks just
as it is getting across safely
This is a small tragedy of the road.
no doubt in comparison with the value
of automobiles wrecked, lives lost and
limbs manned on the grand arteries
of the Nation week after week, month
after month, and year after year
Yet perhaps 1t is a tragedy which
points moral even more plainly than
the grievous accident which is fellow ed
by human sorrow, pain and lawsuits.
The small creatures which are killed
on our roads. especially at night. have
few spokesmen and fewer yet to do them
reverence. Perhaps that is the rea-
son why all their fellow pedestrians
should speak ,up for them now and
then They are one in the brotherhood
Of the open road, relationship which
MANY motorist has vet to proye