Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1913-09-16
REGULATING STREET TRAFFIC.

REGULATING STREET TRAFFIC.
The adoption of big city traffic
rules by the Bloom administration for
Pine Bluff is having a fine effect on
travel in the busy business and resi-
dence districts of the city and the
traffic cops" are rapidly educating
the public to observe them and to
keep to the right" at all times. Ac-
cidents have already been avoided
and much good is resulting not only
to drivers of autos and horses but the
pedestrians are daily seeing the vaIue
of the traffic ordinance demonstrated.
The American City, a publication
giving monthly review of municipal
problems and civic betterment, has an
interesting article in a recent issue on
standardized Street Traffic Regula-
tion," synopsis of it's fundamental
principles, on which uniform regula-
lion should be adopted everywhere.
William L. Emo, who has given the
subject considerable study declares
the street traffic regulation is of two
kinds, general and special" He
says:
General regulation is of primary
Importance, since it deals with certain
simple but essential rules, which must
be known to drivers and police before
order can be brought out OF chaos.
After, the drivers know the rules and
he police are educated TO enforce
hem, all special re gulation becomes
easy H*YSia
Special regulation comprises that
which, in, addition to general regula.
ion is required attn foci and inter-
sections of streets, in one way traf-
fic' streets, at cab stands and at the
opera, theater, races, etc.
up to 1903 there was practically
10 regulation of street traffic except
n London and other j, British cities
even in those cities there were no
printed regulation, but the drivers
lrove skillfully and were familiar with
he rules Of the roaG and the police
we're we'll trained. What had been
he result of generations in London
vas desired without unnecessary de-
ay in New York The first essential
vas to teach the drivers certain SIM
,le rules and to educate the police to
mforCe them. The ordinary rules of
he road together with few new but
simple regulations were therefore
printed in the police manual, in peck
1t folders for drivers and on placards
For public stables, garages and cab
stands. The cost of all this was in
significant. The regulations are po-
ice regulations and not ordinances.
)ne ordinance. or other law, empow-
sring and making it the duty of the
head Of the police department to reg
llate traffic is all that is desirable.
Safety can be secured only by
strict observance and enforcement of
traffic regulations. In cities few ac-
:idents comparatively are the result
Of speed alone. while in the country
he reverse is true.
1.-TWO rules on speed are sufficient
reasonable and necessary.
"First--A vehicle or street car snail
lot exceed the rate of speed establish |
I'd by law and shall proceed with |
great caution, especially in making
turns, in crossing other streets and
passing other vehicles or street |
cars.
"Second-A vehicle shall not at any
ime exceed rate of thirty miles an
hour.
1T is the duty of all policemen to
ceprimand and correct drivers for in
fraction or regulations, and if an Of
Tense is committed with intent to
block traffic or to interfere with the
rights or safety of others, to take the
drivers name, number and address
and report 1t to the proper office OF
the police department for action. In
case OF serious offense the driver
should forthwith be arrested
1T is manifestly impossible to lay
down in a reasonably brief form rules
which should always be enforced to
the letter and consequently some dis
erection must be left to the police"
-o&o------
beware Of Cousins.