Evening star., 1934-09-30


are being taught today concerning the
ever-present traffic dangers. Parents
and teachers are realizing the i'm
portance. The school boy patrols,
sponsored by the American Automobile
Association, and Endorsed by police
departments, have proved worthy con-
tributions to child safety.
But are the parents and teachers
saying. DO as say, not do as l do?"
1t would seem so in many instances.
Traffic fatality results would go to
prove this belief. 1t appears difficult
10 teach the groWn-ups. Safety cam
paigns and drives are helpful, but not
enough. The only other course, then,
is to make the adults help themselves.
Most Effectual Way.
The most effectual way this can be
brought about is by police control of
the pedestrians. The plan may not
prove popular. but something must be
done to lower the fatality and accident
lists. There is such regulation in
Washington. but enforcement has been
nil. The courts have ruled that the
Commissioners and traffic director
have not the authority to adopt such
a regulation. If this is so, Congress
should give them the power.
At a recent schoolboy patrol dinner
held here by the A. A. A.. William A.
Van Duzer, traffic director, stated the
need of enforcement of such a regula
ton. He pointed out that so per cent
Of the fatalities here occurred between
intersections. Mr.. Van Duzer long
has been in favor of pedestrian con-
troll. The regulation should be put
into force. Streets are for the use of
both vehicles and pedestrians. Both
users should be regulated. Traffic
lights lose their efficiency if only
drivers Of vehicles are controlled by
them.
School children are taught to be
careful on the streets. Older people
should be made to be careful. Regulat-
ed control of pedestrians will aid in
safety. It has been tried out success
fully in other large cities. 1t should
be given a thorough try-out here.
Along that line, a statement has
been issued by the Automobile Safety
Committee of large mutual casualty
company, one of the largest writer's
of automobile insurance in the coun-
try. The statement declares that
increasing emphasis must be given
to pedestrian safety campaigns if the
constantly growing automobile cas-
ualties are to be reduced.
Jay-Walking Dangerous.
onti1o1
enactment of laws against it in some
cities, jay-Walking remains one OF
the major causes of injuries and
deaths to pedestrians struck by auto
mobiles. it is stated. The average
pedestrian has not yet been trained
to stop cutting across the street
whenever the notion comes to mind.
"A walk through the business dis
trict of any city shows how wide
spread this habit has become" the
report says. Instead of going to the
corner and crossing with the lights
many pedestrians can be seen dodging
in and out of traffic in the middle
of the block. This manner of street
crossing not only increases the haz-
ards for the pedestrians, but also
builds additional hazards for auto
mobile drivers. A figure suddenly
darting out and making emergency
use of brakes necessary may cause
a whole series of rear-end collisions
when cars are travelling just a few
feet apart, as they do in heavy
traffic.
Excellent work has been done in
campaigns teaching children to be
careful in the streets, but the adults
are in great need of the same type
Of instruction.
Another Cause Of Accidents.
Another major cause of accidents
Is the crossing of streets against the
traffic lights. The man who care
fully watches all lights when he is
driving his car apparently becomes
unconscious of their significance
when he is afoot. 1t is interesting
to observe the working of that strain
in human beings which in country
districts is described as 'ornery.' 1t
is very commonly the case that the
driver who rants against the careless
pedestrian when he is at the wheel,
is an outstanding example of care
ing. Just bit of consideration for
one another would be as helpful a
factor in cutting down automobile
pedestrian accidents as anything else.
"One type of accident which results
In many fatalities and which needs a
large degree of cooperative effort on
the part of both the driver and the
walker, is that occurring on the out
skirts of the smaller towns in the
rural districts. High speed is per-
mltted in the rural sections, but every
driver needs to learn that he has a
definite obligation to cut down his
speed whenever he approaches a town
of any size. No driver has a right to
speed through a community at so
miles an hour. If such driving was
done on the street where his children
live. he would be up in arms about it,
but he fails to give considerable to
the streets on which other peoples
children live
Hand in hand with the driver re-
sponslbility in such areas should go
pedestrian responsibility. The road
is used as a sidewalk in most such
areas, but recognition should be given
to the fact that the automobile has
the first right to it. Pedestrians US
ing the roads should always walk
against the traffic so they can see the
automobiles approaching. At night
particular caution should be used, be-
cause headlights do not always show
up the walker in sufficient time 10
allow full stop"
Safety Glass Needs.
The above has been suggested for
the benefit Of the walkers. A menace
of another nature is ever present to
occupants of automobiles and that is
riding in a car equipped with ordinary
glass.
Police and traffic officials, besides
other safety crusaders throughout the
United States, are actively co-operat-
ing in campaign to encourage the
widespread adoption Of safety glass
all-around in automobiles.
Police officials in many cities, like
Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Cincin-
natl and Toledo. where safety cam