Evening star., 1921-04-02
NEW TRAFFIC LAWS
IN EFFECT TODAY
Many Violations Reported for
Non-Fami|iarity With the
Regulations.

Non-obserwance of the traffic regu
lations which became operative this
morning was noticeable today. 1t
was not case of willful violations,
traffic policemen stated, but one of
ignorance of the regulations. Maj.
Harry L. Gessford. superintendent of
police, and Capt. Albert J. Headley.
head of the traffic squad, held con-
ference today and the former con-
cluded not to cause arrests of any
motorists, except in cases of fragrant
violations. for a week.
Maj Gessford and Capt. Headley
deemed it unfair to strictly enforce
regulations copies of which could
supposed to comply with them. There
has been so much publicity given the
regulations in the newspapers. Maj.
Gessford stated, that it seemed that
every motorist should be acquainted
with them.
Many Inquiries.
There was a procession of auto
mobile owners and drivers at the
headquarters of the traffic bureau this
morning. Many of them applied for
copies of the regulations or the digest
prepared by the traffic squad. but
neither could be furnished. Many of
the applicants were referred to
The Evening Star Of March 2. in
which the full regulations were
printed.
How can you expect us to obey the
regulations when we do not know
what they are?" many of the dis
appointed motorists asked. and the
answer was that 10000 copies Of the
digest of the regulations Will be
read for distribution Monday morn
ing. A similar number of copies al
ready have been distributed.
When copies of the complete regu-
lations will be ready for distribution
is not known. The copy is in the
hands Of the printer, it is stated. and
police officials hope they will be re-
ceived before the end of next week.
Few Drastic Changes.
Discussing the new regulations. both
Maj Gessford and Capt. Headley said
there had been very few drastic
changes mace in them. and it should
be an easy matter for drivers of ma
chimes to acQuaint themselves with
the new provisions.
One of the more important changes
and perhaps the one most frequently
violated today. police officials stated.
is the one which makes 10th street
n
street a one-way street, only south
bound traffic being permitted. Sixteen
signs were placed along that thor
oughfare to advise motorists of the
change in the regulation. but hun
dreds of them, it is stated. failed to
see or observe them.
Capt Headley said he thought it
might Be well to station policemen
along 10th street, especially at inter-
sections, to warn drivers. but the de-
partment has not sufficient number
of men to spare for that duty.
Drivers will have to learn the law
from the traffic signs, he said, If they
Gessford's digest or the regulations
when they are obtained.
Cooperation Asked.
"Co-operationson part of motorists
is asked" said Capt. Headley, 'and
the traffic signs will have to be de-
pended upon to do much of the work
of educating motorists"
One important change in the regula-
tions mentioned by the police officials
from l street to K street, making the |
boundary of the zone from the south |
curb of Pennsylvania avenue to the |
north curb of K street. and from the /!
east curb of 7th street west to the |
west curb of 18th street.
tablished for the spaces about Frank J
lin Park, Mcpherson Square and |
Farragut Square, and Pennsylvania !,
avenue and F street. between 14th and !;
18th streets. The same provision ap- |
plies to the triangular space at New |
York avenue and 18th street. 1
Changing the parking period in the |
vicinity of the three parks, it is /
stated. affects hundreds of govern
ment employees and business men who |
park at those places. Under the reg
ulations, however, the police pointed |
out, all-day parking will have to be
done north of X street in the future.
Another important change in the
regulations pointed out by the police
officials is the one requiring drivers
Of automobiles to give signals on all
occasions when a change is to be
made in the line of travel. and atten-
ton also was called to the provision
against making a turn between inter-
sections unless it can be made with
nut hacking,