Evening star., 1936-09-09
NEED FOR CONTROL
|OF PEDESTRIANS IS
CITED IN REPORT
Van Duzer Reiterates Stand
Despite Third Reversal
by Commissioners.
HOLDS 37.4 PER CENT
DISREGARD SIGNALS
Cites Increase in Accidents. but
Says There Was Decrease in
Fatalities and Injuries.

Traffic Director William A. Van
Duzer reiterated today in his annual
report to the Commissioners the need
Tor pedestrian control regulations in
the District traffic code.
Only yesterday Van Duzer'S third
attempt to have the code amended TO
incorporate pedestrian rules was
turned down by the Commissioners.
who approved the opinion rendered by
corporation Counsel Elwood Seal.
However, in his annual report, Van
Duzer said:
The pedestrian control situation is
still our most acute safety problem,
and will remain so until means have
been adopted to keep them out of the
roadways, between intersections"
Van Duzer said his department has
conducted spot traffic counts at vari-
GUS intersections, which showed 37.4
per cent of the pedestrians paid no
heed to traffic signal lights and crossed
the street on other than the 20 signal
"A large percentage of the fatalities.
72.5 per cent, as compared with 67.5
IN 1885 and rs per cent in 1884. were
pedestrians, he said. OF these pedes-
TRAN fatalities, 73 per cent were
caused by negligence of the deceased.
similarly, 55 per cent of the persons
injured were pedestrians and in 70 per
cent OF these cases the pedestrian was
at fault. These facts illustrate the
necessity for pedestrian regulations
suchas has been recommended to the
Commissioners this year, and the
adoption of regulations for the control
OF pedestrians cannot be urged too
strongly"
Accidents Increased.
Total accidents increased over the
preceding year despite extra precau-
tions taken. Van Duzer reported. An
encouraging factor, however, was a
decrease in fatalities and injuries.
There were % fewer deaths and a de-
crease of 121 personal injury acci-
dents.
There we're 9,608 accidents, 4,l2o
persons injured and 1O2 deaths dur
ing the year ending June 80. as COM
pared with 1928 accidents, 4,241 per-
sons injured and 125 deaths during
the preceding year.
1T is worthy of note" said Van
Duzer, that this increase in the num-
ber of accidents reported is appar-
emily due in part to the greater safety
consciousness of the public which has
led to the reporting of accidents in
which little or no damage has been
done. Thus, there was an increase
OF $40 in the number of accidents in
which no damage was done or the
damage amounted to less than $40.
which is about one-half of the total
increase in the number of accidents.
Van Duzer reported that the princi-
pal faults of drivers involved in acci-
dents were recklessness, failing to yield
right of way, intoxication and speed
ing.
Parking Violations Cited.
With respect to traffic congestion
during rush periods, the report pointed
out that consistent violations of park
ing regulations by passenger cars and
truck deliveries during rush periods
continue to be the principal causes for
blocking and delay. He urged CO.
operation on the part of merchants
and trucking concerns to readjust
door-to-door deliveries SO as to avoid
conflict with period of big traffic.
The department installed 11s new
signals at SO locations during the
fiscal year ending June 80 and walk"
signals for pedestrians were installed
for trial at two F street intersections.
The number Of signals in service on
July / was 1879, controlling 343 in
tersections, 4 circles and 2 draw
bridges. The total funds obligated for
signal work was $4,000.
A continued increase in revenues
was reported. Payments for titles, tags
and permits brought in total revenue
of S671 ,959, an increase of S197 ,90l so
over the preceding year.
A breakdown of figures showed the
revenue from titles as s105,8l6, an in
crease of s15,816: license plates. $685.
467, an increase of $15,309, and Ii
censes, S222, 1854, an increase of $14,739