Evening star., 1939-02-06
Urqes More Control
Of Reckless Drivers
Says Pedestrian Regulation
Not ReuI Solution of
Accident Problem
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Sometime ago there appeared In your
paper pictures Of jaywalking, made ex-
pressly to illustrate the dangers to which
pedestrians subject themselves when
crossing the streets. In editorial and
cartoon you have also striven to impress
your readers that the speedy adoption
of pedestrian traffic control regulations
is necessary If there is to be reduction
In the appalling number Of accidents.
AS a pedestrian and driver should be
amazed at the attitude of the press and
enforcement authorities on the subject
of pedestrian control as a safety meas
ure were it not for the self-evident fact
that the effort to foist such regulation
upon the community is sponsored mostly
by organized motorists and the auto
motive industry. Apparently the Dis
trict Commissioners, the major and su-
perntendent of police, and the director
of traffic should take walk and learn
something.
Would it not be we'll to present to your
readers pictures and cartoons illustrating
jaydriving? Pictures depicting the fol-
lowing experiences of pedestrians are
suggested:
l. Drivers making right and left turns
and driving into group of pedestrians
proceeding along the cross-walk on a
green light.
g. A driver stopped by a red light
standing his vehicle on a cross-walk and
blocking the path Of pedestrians cross
ing on green light, forcing them to walk
in front or behind the vehicle to get
around 1t.
3. A driver standing his vehicle on the
sidewalk at the exit of an alley or private
driveway of home or hotel while wait
ing to proceed into the street, blocking
the progress of pedestrians.
T. Pedestrians patiently waiting at an
uncontrolled street intersection for an
opportunity to cross while a procession
of 10, 20 or more vehicles is rushing by,
blithely ignoring the pedestrians right
Of way.
s. Bewildered pedestrian at an inter-
section who has seen the lights change
several times without an opportunity to
cross because of turning cars.
6. Pedestrian jumping "as if he were
struck by hatpin or falling back as if
struck in the face or making leap Of
about 40 feet to avoid being knocked
down." as described by Judge Newman,
who held recently that pedestrian who
had to perform such antics was not given
the right of way.
7. Pedestrian trying to cross from south
to the north side of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. on the easterly cross-Walk of Elev-
enth street NV. Only the skill of a
Disney could depict this scene 1t will
require showing traffic moving east on
Pennsylvania avenue, which is stopped
by a red light. Then the pedestrian,
thinking he has break. puts one foot
forward, but retreats to the curb as the
lights release southbound traffic on
Eleventh street which rushes easterly into
Pennsylvania avenue. But he takes heart
when this flow ceases and he manages
to make dash for the north curb Of
the avenue but is checked by an onrush
of west-bound traffic released by green
light. Problem: How does the pedestrian
get across? Under pedestrian traffic
control he would cross in police patrol
wagon.
8. Mad dash of drivers to pass street
| car coming to a stop, causing waiting
| pedestrians about to board the car to
scramble for safety.
9. Failing to give pedestrians the right
| of way on a walk" light
February 2. L. LUDINGTON.