Evening star., 1944-05-16
frightened Laws
On Traffic Urged
For Safety Here
National Awards
Presented by AAA
To D. C., Arlington

Tightening up of traffic regulations
governing pedestrians at cross-walks
a comprehensive safety educational
program in high schools, emphasis
on playground activities for chill
dren during summer months and
other improvements for the protec-
ton of Washington pedestrians were
urged yesterday by Burton w. Marsh
of the American Automobile Asso-
citation to improve the city's traffic
safety record.
Speaking at a luncheon at the
Mayf1ower Hotel at which Arlington
County and Washington were pre-
sented national awards for winning
first and second places respectively
in their population classes in the
l943 safety contest, Mr. Marsh said
that if Washington's program had
been stepped up last year it might
have won top honors.
At the same time. ne praised the
work done thus far by the city. not
ing that the Traffic Departments
records Of pedestrian accidents over
a period of years had yielded much
valuable information in a fact-find-
ing analysis aimed at reducing the
annual toll of accidents.
Marked Reduction Shown.
Statistics for last year showed the
Districts pedestrian death rate. IA
persons per 100000 population,
marked a reduction Of 16 per cent
over the two previous years. Airing
ton, victor over So rival cities of
10000 to 100000 population, reported
no pedestrian deaths last year.
Next to Chicago, Washington was
judged to nave the best pedestrian
protection program of any city with
population of more than 100000
and much of the credit for this was
given to its Traffic Advisory Council
and its educational activities. School
safety patrols, their work imple-
mented by monthly safety lectures
and posters, also was commended
for their service.
In his suggestions for improving
Washington's rating, Mr.. Marsh, di-
rector of the AAA's traffic engineer
ing and safety department, noted
that only IL pedestrians were ar
rested for crossing in the middle of
the block, yet Is of 63 pedestrians
killed last year were crossing streets
out of crosswalks. He called for
stricter enforcement of regulations
forbidding this practice, pointing to
the decrease in accidents at inter-
sections, where pedestrians were re-
quired to cross on the proper signal.
School Program Urged.
The lack of an adequate high
school educational program should
be corrected by introduction of
program to teach students to walk
and drive safely, while greater en-
phasis should be placed on play
ground activities to keep children
OH the streets during, summer
months, he declared.
Arlington was given the highest
rating in its class for assembly and
analysis Of statistics and facts, and
also was cited for physical traffic
improvements and it's excellent eIe-
mentary school program. Pedes-
trian traffic injuries declined 13 per
cent in the last two years and Ar
lington was the second largest city
in the country reporting no traffic
deaths in 1943. The largest was
New Rochelle, N. Y.
The awards, sculptured glass
plaques, appropriately inscribed,
were presented by John L. Wander
grift, chairman of the AAA District
Advisory Board, to Commissioner
Guy Mason of the District and
Frank c. Hanrahan. Arlington coun-
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