The Washington times., 1919-03-21
NEW TRAFFICRULES
TOBE PUT IN FORCE
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at a speed greater than six miles an
hour.
The Commissioners announce that
the new regulations will be enforced
from the drop of the hat.
The following statement was made
by the Commissioners after adopting
the new rules:
Formal Statement.
Under existing regulati ons traffic
moving north and south has the right
Of-way over traffic moving east and
west. This rule is difficult to apply
at circles and on diagonal avenue,
and it has led to a tendency on the
part of north and south traffic to dis
regard the requirement that speed be
reduced at street intersections. The
new right-of-way rule, which requires
that when two vehicles approach an
intersection at approximately the
same time the vehicle on the right
shall have the right-of-way is in no
sense an experiment. 1t has been in
use for at least six years in some
places, and Is now in general use
throughout the country. 1t is as in
telligible to the stranger as to the
resident, and t.places clearly on every
driver the lobIigRtion to reduce the
speed Of his vehicle at every street
intersection.
while the changes in the speed
regulations include some increases
over the speeds now fixed by law, the
new. speeds; do not exceed those which
have been permitted by the police.
Taken as a whole, the changes are
restrictive in character and are pro-
mulgated with a view to greater
safety.
''The present regulations provide
for one speed within the fire limits
and a considerably greater speed out
side the fire limits. This is objec-
tionable for several reasons. First,
the fire limits are not known to
strangers nor are they known to
many of the residents; second, even
though the fire limits were well
known to all, there is no direct rela-
ton between fire limits which serve
as a restriction on building opera
lions, and the speed of automobiles in.
streets, and. third, there, is as great
need for careful driving in the popu-
lous suburbs of the city as in many
portions of the District within the
fire limits.
THE Commissioners, therefore, in
stead of dividing the District into two
zones with different speed limits tor
each, have divided vehicular traffic
into two classes, restricting the first
class, commercial vehicles OF a Capac-
ity of one ton or more, to a speed of
IL miles an hour between street in
tersections. and restricting the second
class, all other vehicles, to a speed
of Is miles an hour between street in
tersections. Each class of vehicles Is
required to reduce its speed-one-third
at street intersections or in turning
corners. On portions of highways be-
tween intersecting streets where there
are no houses, or not more than two
houses, a speed of % miles an hour Is
permitted, but this speed limit does
not apply to parks or public reserva-
tions.
"A sturdy OF traffic accidents shows
that most of them occur at street in
tersections. II the speed limits pre-
scribed for street intersections are
rigidly observed, the speeds author
lied for portions of highways between
street intersections should not result
in accident.
at is the intention of the Commits
sioners to strictly enforce these new
regulations after they have been pub
lished for a period of thirty days as
required by law to make them effec-
tive. and to pay particular attention
to the speed of vehicles at street in
tersectiOns."
New Rules In Nutshell.
Automobile trucks or any We
hicle used in hauling merchandise,
3 having carrying capacities of one
ton or more, are restricted to
twelve miles an hour, with eight
miles at intersections or around
corners, eight miles over bridges,
and six miles out of alleys.
All Other vehicles, passenger
and commercial, with capacities
under one ton, are restricted to
eighteen miles between intersec-
tions, twelve miles at intersec-
tions and rounding corners, twelve
miles over bridges with wooden
floors, and six miles into and out
of alleys.
Outside OF parks and on por
tions of highways where there are
not more than two houses be-
tween streets, % miles will be
permitted.
Penalties Imposed.
First offense, and of not less
than So; second Offense within
one year. not less than $40, and
possibly 800, with Imprisonment
at discretion of court: third. and
subsequent Offenses, fine of from
$50 to $3.50, and Imprisonment in
wOrkhOuse for six months
Traffic officers are given pow
or to regulate traffic at cross
ings irrespective of the ne wreg-
ulations.