Evening star., 1935-11-19
PEDESTR|ANL| LIGHT
ADVOCATED HERE
Observer Says Method
Would Speed Up Traffic
in Long Run.

declaring LnaL the safety campaign
Of The Evening Star Safety Council is
having decided effect in reduction of
accidents and that "the very atmo-
sphere is about right for early material
benefits far ahead Of any so far de-
rived" D. A. Taylor. 1121 Morse street
northeast, in letter to the council,
adds his voice to the chorus Of requests
for special pedestrian crossing light
in Washington.
I'VE are all Fundamentally with you
in this move" Mr.. Taylor said, "and,
oh, boy, is it having some effect!
Perhaps I have noticed one effect that
some others have not-that is, the
temperamental. 1t seems to me that
the very atmosphere is about right Tor
early material benefits far ahead oil
any SO far derived. When the general
public fully makes up its mind to do
thing, 1t usually occurs, and l think
old General Public has once again put
on his feathers. Here's to you. Lead
on"
Mr.. Taylor said that that portion OF
the general public possessing the
proper sense of appreciation must ap-
plaud both the object and success OF
your safety campaign"
Already" he said, "the reduction in
number of accidents, especially among
motorists, Is wonderful. Still, there re-
mains too great a number in which
pedestrians are involved, indicating
that the pedestrian element still needs
further attention, both in education
and in being induced to comply as
strictly with regulations and signals as
motorists now seem to be doing. From
personal observation, know that many
pedestrians deliberately ignore auto
matte signal lights, thereby inviting
disaster to themselves and annoyance
to others.
Persistent Jaywalkers.
There are others who premedlta-
lively persist in the practice OF Jay
walking, and their argument is at
least partially justified-they are en-
deavoring to escape the complicated
situation at intersections, where they
must first look in half a dozen dlrec-
tions and survey the whole scene Tor
turns before feeling safe in proceeding,
and by that time the green light Is
half gone and they are liable to oe
caught in the middle of the street"
To avoid this condition at intersec-
tions, Mr.. Taylor suggests that IN
place of the yellow caution signal
which has never meant anything eS-
pecially important" there be substi-
tuted pedestrian signal with dura-
ton of possibly half OF the green.
While the pedestrian light is on, he
suggests, all vehicular traffic, including
turns, will stop.
This" he said, would give pedes-
trians a reasonable and completely
unmolested period for passage, while
almost imperceptibly retarding motor
lists. The possible objection that THIS
would slow up traffic would, believe.
be unfounded, because pedestrians, not
needing to survey the whole situation.
would proceed more promptly and with
greater celerity, while motorists, re-
Iieved of strain and the responsibility
of watching out for pedestrians, would
proceed without hesitation and with
better speed"
He pointed out that with this ar
rangement, policemen then could
crack down on jaywalking and other
violations throughout the block as un-
justi1able.'
Excerpts From Letters.
The letter from Mr.. Taylor is but
one of hundreds received by The Star
Council Many of them have dealt
with the need for a pedestrian light.
Others have touched upon practically
every phase of the traffic situation.
Excerpts from Some of these letters
follow:
Il have driven over 100000 miles
without accident. I always give the
other fellow the benefit of the doubt.
I never have been in such hurry
that I could not find time to obey
regulations I started driving in 1918.
You people are doing a great work
and feel sure it will have telling
influence on the wild people who try
to take all the road today.
j. r. LLEWELLY."
II think you are doing a good work,
also that the safety campaign being
conducted by the traffic officials and
others of Washington may help. But
in my opinion the efforts are being
directed at the wrong place. The
safety campaign should begin before
drivers are licensed"
There follows an account of the
granting of an automobile operators
license to a young man who SIS not
qualified as yet to drive car alone
under traffic conditions as they exist
today"
Il would not permit him to take my
car out unless an experienced driver
was on the seat with him. Neverthe-
less, he has his drivers permit, and
may lawfully drive car anywhere
and any time he may choose.
There was large crowd of people
Of all kinds taking the examination