The Washington times., 1913-02-04
CAPITAL TRAFFIC
RULES SUBJECTIO
SEVERE. CRITICISM
Measure Is Called Complicated
by Man Who Has Studied
Conditions Abroad.
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have been called to the attention OF
the Commissioners, and an invesaga-
ton has been promised. 'L r. " 81
Eno's Traffic Speech.
Mr. Emo, in addressing the Board OF
Trade meeting this afternoon, especially
favored the simplest and most easily
understandable regulations possible.
He saidtin part:
I'm order TO thoroughly understand
the street traffic situation in Wash
ington; at present. ne must briefly eN-
plain what 1t consists of in its simplest
form and review its development else
''Trsffic regulation is of two kinds.
general and special General regulation
10 of primary Importance since IT deals
with certain simple, but essential rules
which must be known to drivers and
police before order, can De brought out
OF chaos After the, drivers know the
rules and the police, are educated to
enforce them then all. special resp-
Special regulation comprises that
which In addition to general resula-
rtons is required at the foet and inter
streets. at-cab stands, parking places,
the opera, theater. races. etc. --.-r-
'It Is only with general regulation
that this article deals in relation to
the regulations just issued for the Dis
trict OF Columbia. ..
? General Traffic Regulation.
!" The keynote is the education'of
drivers and police without which ao-
plished quickly or economically. The
number OF police Officers necessary
for. the regulation of traffic is in
inverse proportion to the .know owledge
OF the drivers In the traffic regula-
tons
.:up to 1903. there, was I.ractieaily.Lo
regulation. of street traffic anywhere
except in London and other British
cities. Those cities1' had no printed
regulations. but the drivers drove skill
fuzzy. and Were familiar with the Usual
rules of the road. and the police were
what had been the. .result,ef genera
tions ip Landon was desired without
unnecessary delay IN Kew York The
certain simple ruisa- and To: educate the
police. to enforce them, The. ordinary
rules .of. the road, together with a
few>new but simple regulations were
therefore printed In the Police Manrai.
In pocket. folders for drivers, and on
placards for pubic stables garages,
and cab stands. similar plan was adopt
ed in Paris. July 1o,.19l2
London. which was used as a basis
at the start. New York since October
50. 1905. and Paris since July 10. 1872.
are now all working under almost iden-
tical rules, those for Paris 1.-THE latesD
being the best on account of greater
IN ali. three cities the regulations are
police regulations pure and simple, but
agthorkse 5byf general ordinances or
Only Wording SimpIifed
Not -one of the regulations COM
piled for New York in 1903 has been
repealed in the later. editions. though
where possible the wording has been
simplified and a. few extra parapraghs
have been added.
The fact that no changes have been
found necessary is due partially to the
fact that each clause was thoroughly
considered. thrashad out and condensed
with the assistance of officials In direc,
charge of the work, and not adopted
until II seemed absolutely sure 1t would
work satisfactorily, and partially to
the fact that three Years had been
London. Paris, and New York before 1t
was found possible, TO get any regula-
tions officially accepted in New York.
Necessity of Uniformity.
Especially now that automobiles
towns and cities, States and countries,
is II desirable that traffic regulations
te uniform everywhere. modified only
where necessary to suit some rare local
condition, such as giving the right of
LAY, where everything else is equal.
To vehicles going north and south over
those going east and west in New York.
On account of the long and narrow
shape of Manhattan Island this rule
has been made, but In no other city
has IL the balance of advantage, and,
even in New York, IL Is often abused
and causes an element OF danger at
crossings, so tnat II Is a question wheth-
,Eit should not be left out in the next
printing OF the regulations.
The efforts Of the international road
congresses and of the many automobile
associations ard clubs throughout the
world are now being bent toward the
adoption Of uniform traffic rules and
automobile legislation with view to
eliminating complications. adding to safe
ty- and facilitating travel on all ro2ds
and between all countries. II Is not only
possible but even probable that before
many years either the right or the left
hand rule for passing Will be adopte ed
universally. not only for vehicles bat
fer pedestrians as we'll
Country Towns Needs.
In view OF the foregoing. 1t is evil
IDENTIFY extremely important that nc
police or other official should be per-
mitted to make his own traffic .regula-
tions. but should be restricted TO the
The Man Who Put the