The Washington times., 1920-02-05
DC. ASTRAFF|C.
MODEL URGED.
Emo Presents to District Sub
Committee Plans to Reduce
Accidents Here.

Plans for the adoption OF new
traffic regulations that would make
Washington a model for all cities OF
the country, were outlined TO-DAY py
william =. Emo, prominent panic eA-
pert. before the Senate District SUB
committee that is seeking a solution
for tie traffic problems In the Ma
tional Capital.
Through the efforts of the highway
transport committee, of the Council
OF National Defense, OF which he Is
chairman, Mr.. Emo told the commit
tee to standardizc he traffic regula-
tions throughout ne country.
1t Is the hope of the Council OF Ma
tional Defense 10 have these reguia-
tions adopted in Washington so as to
serve as a model for other cities.
Copies OF the new traffic regula-
tions were placed in the hands OF
the subcommittee.
Must Educate People.
Before anything definite can be
done. Mr.. Emo impressed on the COM
mittee, education of the people OF
Washington In traffic regulations
must be accomplished. He gave the
committee much valuable Information
as to educational systems he launch
ed in New York and Paris.
Referring to the efforts OF the
Council of National Defense. Mr.. Emo
said:
This is the first effort to standard
ize traffic regulations throughout the
country. Washington should be the
best place to start it. The chief
reason is because 1t is easier to
handle traffic here than in any other
large city.
"And if these regulations are
adopted" said Mr.. Emo, and cam
paign of education undertaken, the
number of accidents here will be re-
duccd so per cent. in six weeks and
IS per cent. in six months.
THE rate of accidents in New York
city per 1000 population is just one
half what 1t is in Washington. II
should be just the other way around.
minds of the people the knowledge of
the traffic regulations" Mr.. Emo said.
Not ono offender against the regula-
tions in 1000 is an intentional Of
fender, but I doubt II one perosn In
900 of the people here have ever seen
or studied traffic regulations"
Mr.. Emo criticised the traffic OFF,
ciaIs Of Washington for the manner
in which they treated the traffic reg
ulations. He said that people simply
would not take the time to wade
IL oil anu ouS cctSu " i""i
page folder containing the most strik-
ing features. Mr.. Emo and Major
Pullman, superintendent OF police,
differed over the rule requiring an
automobile to stop behind a street
car when II loads on passengers. The
committee Of which he is chairman is
in favor of rule requiring automo-
biles to keep eight feet away, while
Major Pullman advocated a f1fteen-
foot rule. The latter said 1t was hard
enough to make people observe any
kind Of rule at all.
Opposes Right of Way Rule.
Mr.. Emo also opposed the right Of
way rule at street intersections. Big
cities are doing away with 1t, he
said. The north and south traffic
is given the right of way in New
York, he said, whereas the right OF
way ruling that rules hero is bound
to be responsible for too many acci-
dents.
Because Of the different conditions
in various Cities Mr.. Emo explained
that no speed regulation had been in
cluded in the rules of the council Of
national defense.
Mr.. Emo said he did not oppose the
proposal for a traffic court to handle
traffic cases, although he did not
seem greatly impressed with the idea.