Evening star., 1939-07-10
D. {. Acclaimed
For Pedestrian
Control Gains
Capital One Of Half
Dozen Cities Woeing
Successful Drive

Washington was acclaimed today
by the National Safety Council for
its astonishing results" from
pedestrian traffic regulation.
According to the Associated
Press, Washington was listed as
one of half dozen cities through
out the United States that are wag-
ing successful, vigorous drives to
reduce pedestrian accidents which
caused 12,500 deaths and 275,OOO
non-fatal injuries throughout the
country last year.
The council, from its Chicago
offices, said these campaigns,
extraordinary in scope and vigor,
may be considered the beginning
OF new Nationwide movement
to regulate and protect pedestrian
traffic.
Challenge Accepted.
Rufus c. Jasper. traffic engineer
and secretary of the councils Pc
destrian Committee, said Washing
tons results were obtained by pedes-
trian control regulations placed in
effect short time ago. He said
the city accepted fortuitous chal-
lenge in this fashion:
"A friend of one of Washingtons
traffic officials, in Los Angeles a
few months ago. started across a
street after looking in all directions
to see that no cars were approach
ing. A policeman blew his whistle,
called the man back to the sidewalk
and said, Where are you from
Washington, D. CO.
when the traffic officials In
Washington heard about it. they
decided it was the last straw. They
felt something had to be done about
pedestrian accidents, which made
up 83 per cent of all traffic fatali-
ties in Washington, and something
had to be done about the reputa-
ton Of the National Capital
Obedience 81 Per Cent.
"A three-week educational pro-
gram was started. A flying squad
ron was formed, with distinguished
men and women volunteering to
speak on the pedestrian problem.
Engineering improvements were
made. In April pedestrian regu-
lation in the downtown section was
accomplished, and the people liked
it. On recent trip to the Capital
City observed 81 per cent obedi-
ence to traffic signals"
The engineer said Schenectady,
N. Y, had achieved an outstanding
no-death-day record, attributable in
large part ts pedestrian control.
In three months, he continued,
Salt Lake City had obtained i'm
pressive pedestrian obedience to
trafhc laws through extensive and
dramatic publicity and the interest
and work of the Police Department.
Fatalities there, he said, had been
reduced so per cent from similar
period casualties last year, and the
number of non-fatal injuries likewise
had declined.
Other cities who have successfully
come to grips with the pedestrian
problem, as given in council rec
ords, include San Francisco. Los
Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Wichita,
Kans.; San Antonio and Dallas,
Tex; Little Rock, Ark: Louisville,
KY; Denver and Nashville. Tenn.
Drive Begun in Detroit.
Police and civic authorities in De-
troit have started a traffic safety
drive, giving special attention to
jaywalkers, who are checked by
chains stretched across the edge of
the sidewalks at intersections.
Safety specialists and organiza-
tions have always been aware of the
problems created by faulty pedes-
trian habits" said Mr.. Jasper. but
recently we have witnessed a spon-
taneous and remarkable determina-
ton to solve those problems.
Few persons realize the serious
ness and magnitude of the pedes-
trian accident problem. Thirty-nine
per cent of all traffic deaths involve
pedestrians, and in urban areas, two
out of three persons killed in traffic
walk to their death.