Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-11
DC TRAFF|Cb|LL
REACHESSENA1E
Senator Dillingham; Intro
duces Measure Providing
Standard Regulations.

Standard Regulations.
A bill providing standard traffic
regulations for the District Of Column
7ia, the establishment of a traffic bu-
reau in the police department and the
appointment of traffic arbitrators'
pending the establishment of traf-
fic court, was introduced today by
Senator Dillingham; of Vermont by
request.
The bill was drafted in accordance
with the views of William Phelps Emo.
a recognized traffic expert in this
country and abroad. The traffic reg
ulations embodied in the bill are
identical with the New York city reg,
ulations and conform to the general
highway traffic regulations as COM
piled for standardization and ADOPTED
by the Council of National De1ehse
through it's highways transport com
mittee in 1919 and as adopted by the
National Highway Trafflc Association
in the same year, -.-
The bill places upon the Dlstrlcl
Commissioners the duty OF enforcing
the regulations through the metro
politan police department
Authorizes Traffic Bureau
The Commissioners are authorized
to create bureau in the metropolitan
police department., to be known as
the traffic bureau, which shall ne IN
charge of an inspector. when practl-
cable but if not. then in charge OF
captain. who shall be known as the
traffic supervisor of the District OF
Columbia. The traffic supervisor snail
not be under orders or respohsio:le PIE
to any officer below the rank of major
of police. All officers and members OF
the police force in this bureau or
detailed on traffic duty are TO pc
under the direction Of the trahc
supervisor.
The traffic> bureau is to have con-
troll of the examination and licensing
of drivers and the making and en-
forcing of rules in regard to the
maintenance and operation OF motor
vehicles, including the examination
of taxi meters. and to keep a record
of accidents for the purpose OF NIX
ing the blame and ascertaining cause
with view to devising preventlons.
Examinerx to BE Named.
The District Commissioners are to
appoint two or more-examiners in me
bureau, who Shall determine the abii-
ity to drive a motor vehicle OF any
applicant for a drivers permit or H.
cense The Commissioners may also
require an applicant to pass physi-
cal or mental test. or to present GER
tificate, under oath, by licensed
ghysician, stating in his opinion the
applicant is mentally and physically
qualified to drive motor vehicle.
The Commissioners. pending the
creation of a traffic court. or until
such court is created. may appoint one
or more traffic --arbitrators. These
traffic arbitrato tors, whenever the par
ties in any traffic accident may desire,
: shall determine what damages. II any.
10 Q a result 4.
dent, in order that the courts of the
District may be relieved from the bur.
den of unnecessary litigation.
The bill provides that the Commits
Der of the metropolitan police de-
partment. below the rank of in
spector, shall have in his possession
when going on duty at least five cop
les Of the regulations and snail give
one of these copies to any person vio-
Commissioners shall make arrange
ments to furnish copies also to any
person who applies at any police sta
tion and for the furnishing copies to
every pupil and teacher in the public
schools. Each applicant for q drivers
permit is to he furnished with a copy
of the regulations.
Examination to BE Required.
An applicant for drivers permit
will be required to pass an-examina-
ton satisfactory to the Commission
ers in order to demonstrate his
knowledge Of the regulations and his
ability to drive. No applicant for
permit shall be granted it until he has
passed such an examination He must
carry with him a copy of the regula-
lions wirile driving vehicle.
The school board may provide Tor
instructing the pupils Of the public
schools in the Regulations and for
examinations and drills to familiar.
ize the prpfls with the fegulations.--.7.
A nonresident of the District shall
not be~permitted to drive a motor
vehicle in the District for a longer
without a drivers permit or license
from, the District. unless. he has COM.
piled with the laws of the state or ter
ritory where he. legally resides. 49,
Regulates for Non-Resiaentx.
A nonresident driving in the Dis
trict and remaining over twenty-four
hours must report at police sta
tion his name, his temporary stopping
place. his home address, the number
number of his car He must be fur
nished with a copy Of the regula-
tions.
Any driver of a motor vehicle who
IL arrested for violating any traf-
fc regulations may, in the discretion
of the traffic bureau. be re-examiaed
before he IS again permitted to drive
a motor vehicle.
The bill makes special provisions
for the use of traffic guides. limit
lines. safety zones. etc. by the Com
missioners to aid in enforcing the
traffic regulations. Provision IT, also
made for signs, traffic standards.
semaphores and traffic crow's-nests.
The Commissioners are to order 4
sufficient number of bicycle men to
patrol and exercise general supervi-
sion in particularly crowded streets
Senator Dillingham; is Chairman of
the subcommittee of the Senate Dis
trict committee on traffic legislation
He is expected to- call the commit
tee together at an early date to con-
slider the matter. --'--'--7