El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-05-27

Sc OF mechanical or electrical sig
mailing devices on automobiles 50
~ as to Indicate the course Of a
car, was one Of the important recon-
mendations adopted at q meeting Of the
street traffic committee Of the safety
First Federation OF America held re-
Gently in Cincinnati, o.
such devices were considered by the
police officials Of many important cities
who we're in attendance at the meeting
as a necessity upon closed OF curtained
cars and their use on automobiles gen
orally was commended in view OF the
traffic congestion in the largest cities
and in consideration Of the enormous
production of automobiles announced
by the manufacturers for the present
year
VIII Increase in Popularity.
In the belief that automobile signal
devices viii increase IN popularity, a
plan was considered to provide Tor uni
formity in their location and attach
ment to motor vehicles, preference be-
ing given to a combination OF the Sig
nal with the tail light and license NUM-
Der. the signals to be visible at least
so feet from the rear Of a car, the de-
sign OF indication TO be by word or
pointer. The mechanism substantial
and positive in action, all operating
parts protected from rain, mud, snow
and ice. the control TO be by hand or
foot, with an automatic control for a
stop signal Approval was given for
the location Of these signals on the
rear left-hand fender so as to be in
direct vision OF the driver OF any fol-
lowing vehicles and unobscured by ex-
ira tires usually carried on the back
OF a car
In the interest Of safety and to expe-
dite the movement OF traffic Il was
cOntended that the signals should be
shown both on the front and rear so
as TO indicate clearly and IN a positive
manner to traffic officers, pedestrians
and drivers OF other vehicles, exactly
what movement the car viii make.
signal a Necessary Accessory.
It was cOntended by the committee
to indicate the course Of a car formed
as necessary a part Of the equipment as
the lights horn, chains, or fire ex-
tinguisher, this being especially true
owing to the use Of closed or curtained
cars, during rainy weather and in win
Try months, when IL is impossible TO
signal by hand.
During the past year many com
mendable signal devices have been
placed upon the market and have
proved very popular with autOno-
bile owners DESTROYS OF protecting
their cars from collisions which are
and sudden changes in direction, which
are possible with the modern motor
car Several Of these signaling devices
are on exhibition at the Safety First
street New York, where they are at
tracing much attention from motor car
owners. automobile dealers and manu-
facturers.
Relieve Traffic Congestion.
In giving its endorsement to the de-
velopment and extension OF this new
motor car accessory the street traf-
fic committee hopes 10 obviate the pos
sibility OF accidents and 20 materially
relieve traffic congestion It is be-
lieTed that the time is not far distant
when such signals viii be required by
law, in fact, consideration is now be
ing given to this subject in Portland.
Ore, where II is proposed to modify
the present ordinance so as TO permit
the use OF mechanical or electrically
operated signaling devices on motor
A demonstration OF several devices
was recently held in that city under
the auspices Of the public safety COM
mission and which was witnessed by
members OF the city council and other
officials and il is predicted that early
action viii be taken by the authorities
with the view to requiring that such
signals shall be used on all motor We
hicles operated in that city,
New ok was the LlrSr city to give
official recognition to the need Of mod
ern signaling devices upon motor We
hicies. as the street traffic regulations
OF the police department provide that
the driver Of any vehicle about to turn (
either from stsndstilI or while in
motion should give timely signal by
nan0 or whip. or in some unmistakable
manner indicate the direction OF the
turn Fl Paso now has similar reg
1lstion-
Report Of Aceideufs
The street traffic committee an
proved OF the accident form Of report
now in use by the New York police |
department. which will be generalIv |
adopted BY the police officials through
out the country. Consideration was
gwen TO other forms OF signs and sig
lals 70 be used in the direction OF street
-rattlc. but finally action was deferred
intu the next meeting OF the commit
-ee- In the meantime. a special COM |
nltree VIII prepare a tentative outline