Evening star., 1938-12-18
Tentative 0. K.
Given Higher
Speed Limit
b
Pedestrian Control
! Plan Stringent,
Survey Shows =

An increase In the speed limit in
the 22-mile zones to Is miles per
hour was given tentative approval
yesterday by the District Commits
isoners, but there was less certain
reaction to plans for stringent pc
destrian control plans as a result
of survey made by Traffic Direc-
tor William A. Van DuZer.
The higher speed limit was rec
commended by the Traffic Advisory
Council at its meeting Friday night,
subject only to adoption of policy
Of strict enforcement.
Commissioners Hazen and Nc
Coach both voiced general favor
for this change. in view of the long
agitation on the issue, but they
withheld final approval to await
formal recommendations and some
further study. Both specified they
were not in favor of any increase
N the limit in the 30-mile zones,
however.
The pedestrian-control plan was
brought again to public attention by
the publication of the results of a
survey made by Traffic Director
William A. Van Duzer of the ques-
tions as to what extent and in what
manner other cities of the country
restrict pedestrian movements. The
survey was made at the direction
OF the Commissioners in prepara-
ton for public hearing to be held
December % at the District Build
Ing on proposed adoption of full
f1edged, city-wide ban on jay
walking.
Proposed Rules Stringent.
The survey report revealed that
the pedestrian control regulations,
proposed for the District by Mr..
Van Duzer, are more comprehensive
: and stringent than those of the ma
Jorlty OF the cities from which ques-
tionnaire replies were received.
Commissioners Hazen and Nc
Coach both have approved the prin-
aciple of pedestrian control for the
District. They called for a survey
OF the extent and manner of con-
troli other cities as a possible
guide to any practical or legal diff
cultles that might be involved.
After reading the survey summary
prepared by Mr.. Van Duzer, Com
missioner Hazen said last night he
was prepared to approve pedestrian
control to the extent and in what
form spokesmen for a substantial
proportion of District residents
agreed upon.
He added, II do not want the Com
missioners to adopt any regulation
which will be laughed at or ignored
by the public, or one which cannot
be enforced. But if the people of
Washington can show me they want
pedestrian control and can indicate
the extent to which they want it to
60, then I am in favor of adopting
1ust that. I will know better about
; the details, I hope, after the hear
ing December 29."
Replies From Sc Cities.
From his reading of the survey re-
port by Mr.. Van Duzer, Commits
sioner Hazen said he was not con-
vinced that most cities of the country
of size comparable to that of
Washington, had the same measure
of pedestrian control advocated for
the District by its traffic director.
Mr.. Van Duzer sent questionnaires
to 81 cities having populations Of
100000 or more. He received replies
from S. The particular points
which attracted the attention of Mr..
sHazen were that in but 10 of these
b6 cities were pedestrians required to
cross at intersections where inter-
sections are controlled by signals;
that in but three cities are pedes-
trians required to cross at crosswalks
on streets with traffic signals; and
that in but nine of the Sc cities are
pedestrians required to cross only at
crosswalks.
Final decisions will be withheld
by the Commissioners until after
the December % hearing. The
traffic regulations proposed for con-
sideration then read: mo pedes-
trian shall disobey the signal of any
police officer directing traffic at
intersections or crosswalks. No
pedestrian shall enter or cross a
roadway at intersections where
traffic is controlled by traffic con-
troll devices against the signal given
unless directed to do so by a police
officer. Police officers shall have
full power to regulate traffic.
"Ne pedestrian shall cross or at
tempt to cross any roadway between
street intersections at any place ex-
sacept within a crosswalk." In thu
event this latter section is adopted
, officials say, it will be necessary tt
+ mark crosswalks between the curt
and car loading platforms.