Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-15
D. {. Motorists
Held Sinking,
Traffic Duty
Pedestriuns Beur
Burden, Eldridge
Tells Conference


burdened with the brunt Of enforce
ment Of the Districts pedestrian
control regulations, while motorists
have failed to live up to their part
Of the bargain, M. o. Eldridge.
assistant director of vehicles and
trafhc in the District, declared today.
Speaking before the Eastern Con.
ference of Motor Vehicle Adminis-
traitors. Mr.. Eldridge cited figureE
indicating q vast increase in the pest
few years of failure of vehicular
trafnc to yield right-of-way to
pedestrians.
In 1896, he said. 10 per cent Of all
pedestrians in the city suffered in
reference from vehicles while cross
ing streets: in 1899. 1872 per cent
suffered such interference while
studies completed recentlv revealed
that now ~ per cent OF the
pedestrians are interferred with by
vehicles while attempting to cross
streets.
Convictions Difficult to Get.
I'VE must, by arrests or other
means. bring home to the motorist
his share of the responsibility" Mr..
Eldridge declared.
The official stated that during the
first 10 months of operation of the
District pedestrian control regula-
tons 2.24l pedestrians were arrested
and 337 motorists were arrested for
failure to yield right of way. The
relatively small number of motorists
arrests is due to the dificulty in
securing convictions, Mr.. Eldridee
added.
To convict a motorist so arrested,
he said, 1t is necessary that the
trafic ofdcer witness the violation
and that the pedestrian involved
later appear to testify against the
motorist. The latter, in most cases.
is extremely dimcult, he continued.
Mr.. Eldridge reviewed the progress,
of the Districts pedestrian education
program and Subsequent enforce
ment of the regulations. He told
the conferees that cartoon drawn
by Clifford K. Bergman of The
Star, showing on one hand rows OF
tombstones and on the other a traf-
fic ofIicer directing pedestrians prop
erly across an intersection and en-.
titled. Which Way Do You Want
to Be Regimented?' had more to do
with the success of our campaign
than any other one thing"
Pedestrian Death Rate Low.
In his discussion of the accom-
plishments Of the regulations, Mr..
Eldridse said that In 1854 an aver
age of So per cent-of the citys
pedestrians attempted to cross
streets on red signals, while i've
months after the termination Of the
educational program this percentage
was reduced to liz.
Washington now has the lowest
pedestrian death rate for cities OF
over 0.O00 population, Mr.. Ed
ridge declared, explaining that thus
far in 1910 pedestrian deaths have
increased In such cities elsewhere
in the country by 10 per cent,
while here an II per cent reduction
has been noted.
In a discussion of the accumula.
ton of traffic survey data nation
ally, H. E. Hits. acting. chief of the
Division of Highway Transport Of
the Public Roads Administration.
said that more than 500 automatic
traffic counters now in use through
out the country are proving inval.
liable in solution of highway prob
lens.
Mr.. Hits predicted that wider
roads, flatter grades and more pow
erful motors in future years will
produce the answer to highway diff
ficulties now caused by heavy trans
port trafic.
A paper written by Edward J.
Hughes. Secretary of State of Illinois.
describing methods of producing
more satisfactory drivers permits,
was read by the presiding ofncer.
The motor vehicle administrators
were to hold an executive session
this afternoon. The annual BAN
quiet will take place tonight, and
q sight seeking tour of the city will
close the conference tomorrow.
Today's meeting, which took place
ut the willard Hotel, was presided
over by Frederick Robbie, Secretary
of State for Maine and president Of
the Eastern Conference.