Evening star., 1935-11-04
PROTECTION URGED
FOR PEDESTRIANS.
Citizen Attributes Accidents
to "Superiority Complex"
of Motorists.

Many tTdIHC dClluCio diC avn
able to a severe case of superiority
complex" which motorists have ac-
ouired by assuming certain rights
which they really do not possess. N
the opinion Of Henry Taylor, 81
Franklin street.
In a letter to The Star Safety Coun-
ell. Mr.. Taylor points out that weak
nesses in the existing traffic regula-
tions are due to failure to take into
account the workings of this complex.
Judging by their actions" he eX-
planned. the motorists must think
that every pedestrian that they toot
their horn at should scamper into
clear. The overwhelming advantage
that the motorist has over the pedes-
trian prevents the pedestrian from
contesting the right of way, and when
the horn is sounded. if it is not too
late, the pedestrian scampers.
Pedestrian Not Protected.
when the big truck appears on
the scene the small car is in the same
predicament as the pedestrian and
must surrender the right of way. Right
by might is contrary to any kind OF
regulations by law. Most people are
familiar with the scene where per-
son crossing the street becomes be-
wildered when a motorist sounds the
horn. The pedestrian stops, goes for
ward or back, then reverSes. By this
time the machine either comes to a
stop or moves on, maybe a hit and
maybe not. The law requires that
one motorist signal another motoriSt
when a stop or turn is made, although
the motoriSt and the pedestrian have
a right to use the same street space
No provision is made by law to pro-
tect the pedestrian while crossing the
street. The present traffic light sig
mails do not afford the proper protec-
ton due to operation of the sigma
that permits the pedestrian to cross
the street and at the same time al
lows the machines to make right ano
1eft-hand turns. AS between the mo-
torist and the pedestrian, it is evident
that no law is necessary to protect
the motorist, but law is necessary
to protect the pedestrian. AS long as
intelligence is no, requirement tC
secure a drivers permit the life OF
the people cannot be left to the mercy
of the motorist. 1t is not crime to
stop traffic, but it is a crime to permit
the killing of people. Therefore the1e
should be law permitting the pedes-
trian to stop traffic by hand signal
and the hand signal should be as re-
strictive as stop signal can be. The
law that prohibits the blocking OF
traffic could be applied and the pedes-
triap required to furnish identified
ton. The right to stop traffic should
be determined after the fact, which
is more desirable than picking up the
crushed remains of a person.
Would Cut Passing Speed.
THE law requires a machine to keep
Q safe distance behind a machine that
is being followed or trailed. The Law
requires a machine to slow down at
intersections, but the law permits a
machine to pass another machine OF
street car or parked car at the maxi
mum speed of % miles per hour.
have seen huge trucks and buses pass
small cars at a greater speed than 20
miles per hour. have seen the same
class machine squeeze through space
between street car and parked cars
just wide enough to accommodate the
machine. have seen machines wait
ing to make left-hand turn at light
controlled intersections make dive at
excessive speed to get across ahead of
hou
chimes violate the speed law by try
ing to beat the yellow light at inter-
sections There should be law to
prohibit truck or bus passing any
object on the roadway, whether Pc
destrian, parked car. moving car or
street car at greater speed than IL
miles per hour and a smaller. car or
passenger car passing the same objects
at greater speed than 18 miles per
hour.
Parking machines on the street is
problem for the individual motorist
to solve. II they want to use the street
for parking place, then they should
be compelled to reduce speed while
passing the parked cars. II they
want to use the maximum speed al
lowed by law, then keep the streets
clear.
Opposes Caution Light.
THE yellow caution light should
be abolished as traffic signal. 1t
Is being used as a proceed signal at
most times and also as a speed signal
The traffic lights should flash from
green to red and red to green. and
all signals held red for a sufficient
time to clear the intersection. This
would force the motorist to approach
an intersection with the machine un-
der control, which Is what should be.
To prevent the dive for position at
light t-controlled intersections, one of
the lights controlling traffic on the
same street should be set to change
at least FIVE seconds ahead of the
light controlling traffic in the opposite
direction. To enforce traffic laws
at least one, or as many traffic Of
f1cers as possible, should be assigned
to a section and be compelled to
patrol the street in conspicuous
way. If patrol cars are used they
should be colored in a manner to
make it possible to distinguish them
at distance and red lights should
be placed over the tops at night for
the same purpose. An ounce of pre-
vention Is still worth a pound of
cure