Evening star., 1938-12-17
Survey Shows
Latitude for
Pedestrian
Proposed D. c. Law
Stringent, Data Of
Cities Reveal

Cities Reveal
Widely varied measures of con-
troll over pedestrian movements are
in effect in the larger cities of the
country and in several States, &C.
cording to survey report released
today by the District Commission
ers.
Results of the study were pub
lished as District officials prepared
for public hearing, scheduled for
December % at the District Build
ing, on proposed jaywalking bans
here.
The summary of the survey, con-
Quoted by Traffic Director william
A. Van Duzer, indicates that the
District will have one of the most
stringent and comprehensive sets Of
regulations If the Commissioners
approve rules to be considered at
the hearing.
These read: mo pedestrian shall
disobey the signal of any police
oficer directing traf1ic at intersec-
tions or crosswalks. No pedestrian
shall enter or cross roadway at
intersections where traffic is con-
trolled by traffic control devices
against the signal given unless di-
rected to do so by q police officer.
Police officers shall have full power
to regulate traffic.
mo pedestrian shall cross or at
tempt to cross any roadway between
street intersections at any place ex-
cept within crossWalk." In the
event this latter section is adopted,
officials say, it will be necessary to
mark crosswalks between the curb
and car loading platforms.
Questionnaires were sent to 81
cities having population of 100000
or more. Replies were received
from Sc of these cities. In sum-
marizing the results of the replies
Mr.. Van Duzer reported to the
Commissioners that:
In 16 of the Sc cities no pedestrian
regulations have been adopted.
In 18 of the cities pedestrians are
required to obey the signals of the
traffic officer.
In % of the 56 cities pedestrians
are required to obey traffic signals.
In 10 cities pedestrians are re-
qulred to cross at intersections
where adjacent intersections are
controlled by signals.
In three cities pedestrians are re-
quired to cross at crossWalks on
streets with traffic signals.
In nine cities pedestrians are re-
quired to cross only at crosswalks.
Pedestrians are required to cross
only at crosswalks in business dis
tricts in five of the cities, while in
one city pedestrians must cross at
marked crossWalks on through
streets only.
Right of Way Considered.
Vehicles are required to yield
right of way to pedestrians law
fully in an intersection in 10 of the
56 cities.
Pedestrians are given right of way
at uncontrolled intersections in %
cities.
Pedestrians must yield to vehicu-
lar traffic when crossing not at the
crosswalks in 20 cities.
Pedestrians are required to use
the right half of crosswalks in IA
cities.
On questions concerning enforce
ment or court tests of jaywalking
rules Mr.. Van Duzer said that none
of the Sc cities reported that pedes-
trian ordinances or regulations had
been appealed to higher courts.
Several cities reported no diff
Guilty In securing convictions, he
added. One large city where a
pedestrian regulation has been in
effect for IL years reported that
arrests are avoided except in ag-
gravated cases, and that there has
been no difficulty in securing con-
victions. This city also reported
that jay-walkers have been con-
victed for causing accidents, Mr..
Van Duzer said.
Arrests Bring Obedience.
Another city, where pedestrian
regulations have been in effect for
some time, reported that officials
recently began to enforce the law,
and that few arrests were neces-
sary, but that pedestrians now were
obeying the law.
The traffic director gave the fol-
lowing summary on replies as to
pedestrian control measures by va
rious States:
The laws of 10 States contain no
provisions concerning the rights and
duties of pedestrians on highways,
leaving him subject only to his
common-law obligation to exercise
due care.
In the majority of States some
laws concerning pedestrians are to
be found. The pedestrian is re-
quired by statute in 20 States to
obey traffic control signals at inter-
sections.
At intersections where such sig
mails are not in operation, a pedes-
trian crossing at a marked or un-
marked crosswalk has the right of
way over vehicles in q States. We
hicles must slow down or stop if
necessary to permit such crossing in
these Jurisdictions.
Where traffic control signals are
In operation at adjacent interSec-
tions, it is unlawful for pedestrians
to cross the roadway between in
tersections in % States.
Where No Signals Operate.
Where such signals are not in
operation at the adjacent intersec-
tions, the pedestrians in 81 States
may cross the road at any place,
but must yield the right of way to
all vehicles.
Pedestrians are forbidden to stand
In the roadway for the purpose of
soliciting rides in Is States.
-Four States prohibit pedestrians
from selling or begging in the road
way.