Evening star., 1940-01-01
Van Duzer Seekinq
Police and Lights
Extension of Walk Signals
Also Urged; Cites Necessity
Safeguard Walkers
By WILLIAM A. VAN DUZER.

Vehces
Washington cannot look to reduction in its
traffic fatality record in 1910 unless drastic steps
make both the automobile driver and the pedes-
an traffic conscious and Congress approprlates adequate
funds to make such a program possible
Above all more policemen are enforce the regu
aons designed protect both the driver and the pedestrian
Second Importance would list the need of additional
traffic lights those intersections not now conoleo Were
surveys department vehicles and traffic have shown
at least 1000 vehicles pedestrians both every
sevenhour period There at least 100 such
uncontrolled intersections now in the District.
And third of major Importance widening the heavily
travelled Streets program that Capt c. Whitehurst di-
rector of highways is carrying out fast as congress ap
propriates the money for such projects.
Need of Permanent Safety Platforms.
There number of other improvements which could
be traffic safety-though regarded minor
they would aid expedng the movement OF traffic and pos
siby be the means of saving life.
I have in mind particularly the erection OF permanent
platforms for the of leaving or boarding
a There number of such platforms now but
should be constructed would like to see permanent
platform erected at every car stop IN washington
And is imperative that the present system
Of traffic lights be modenzd and their control centralized
stations scattered all the city, and
the light of which eight DID, either re-
paired or replaced
traffic light timer much like watch 1t needs just
much with good watch takes to eWeler
for overhaung at least two years But some OF the
timers in have not been touched since they were
originally installed These timers need constant maintenance
but department has neither the funds the electricians
to check them periodically.
appears however the pedestrian problem still
the major problem be solved traffic deaths in Washington
to be substantially reduced
The outstanding fact about the pedestrian situation is the
large proportion of elderly people and people who
Further educational information should be impaired
to these age groups-those so and those under 16
It is also obvious that the general driving public will have
realize physical limitations of these border
that they may appropriate allowance in their driving
habits when they such people crossing about to
the streets.
Pedestrian Cooperation Is Needed.
Nearly one-half the pedestrians killed during 1889
killed crossing not at crosswaks Although this not
illegal this practice should be discouraged by educational
campaigns which will induce the average pedestrian to
ceed the before crossing the street Such
safety measures should include:
Cd An extension of the walk" signal to especially haz
locations determined by previous accident records
(2) Liberal and well-maintaned crosswalk lines.
60 Rigid enforcement of the 2O-foot-behnd Line
parking rule
a. Judcous of Stop signs to favor heavy pedes
tran movements where signals otherwise unjustied.
(5) vigorous prosecution of motorists who fail to yield
to pedestrians crosswaks especially when motorists