THE “JAY-WALKERS.”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 94, 12 July 1927, Page 12

THE “JAY-WALKERS.”

HOW PARIS CHECKS THEM. APPLYING PRESSURE. To use a picturesque American expression, the Paris Chief of Police is out for the scalp of the “Jay-Walk er.’ r The Paris pedestrian, even more than the Paris motorist, strongly objects to have his movements regulated by law, but the Chief of Police is undoubtedly a psychologist, for he has succeeded in making the pedestrian do voluntarily w’hat he would never have done by decree. Several months ago crossing places were established on various parts of the main boulevards and the broad avenues, and the pedestrian has been encouraged to use them under the belief that at these particular points he had the right of way and authority over the motor-car driver. Having partially cured the Parisian of the bad habit of crossing the street diagonally, of strolling aimlessly, and of reading his paper in "the midst of a busy thoroughfare, the Prefect is about to apply a little more pressure. On some day, the date of which has not yet been announced, the police will be instructed to take action against all pedestrians not conforming to the rule of the road. It is believed that one day’s application of the law will be sufficient to teach the Parisian that his place is on the footpath, that when he crosses the road he must do it at appointed places and in the shortest possible time, and that it is much safer, and decidedly more comfortable, to read s newspapee in the barber’s chair than in the middle of the Champs-Elysees.