Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-08-10
PL LANN|MG NEW
REGULATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY OFF,
CIAL WANTS UNIFORM
REGULATIONS.

Uniform traffic regulations all
over the state of Michigan will re-
suit, if the campaign started by Col.
Vandercook of the department Of
public safety proves as successful as
most Of the educational moves which
have been launched by the Michigan
state police.
A simple set Of traffic signals de-
visied fer the use of motorists is be-
ing Illustrated by printed cards, each
bearing the printed signals which are
presented herewith. The upper sig
nal, consisting Of the arm extended
in a diagonal line pointing upward, is
intended to be used by the driver who
contemplates a right-hand turn. The
following motorist will need only to
swing out and go past, instead of
having to stop until he finds out
which way the man ahead is going.
The second signal, consisting of
the arm extended in a straight line,
is to be the signal for a left-hand
turn. Inasmuch as that is the signal
which has been used for all purposes,
and drivers have been accustomed to
stop until it is clear what the man
ahead is going to do, it makes a ad-
mirablc signal for left-hand turn,
which always demands stopping of
rear traffic.
The third signal, shown at the bot
tom Of the illustration, is to demon
jtratc that the man giving it intends
to stop. Inasmuch as the man ahead
pulls out to the right before he stops,
this signal will only mean that the
following motorist may swing out to
he left and go by.
Full instructions on these signals,
with illustrations, will be printed on
100000 cards, which will be circulat-
ed all over the state. There is no
law to make the signals binding, but
The proposition has the approval of
all motor clubs and Of drivers gen
orally, and the adoption and general
Observance Of the signals is expected
to follow the campaign of education
70 be put on by Col. Vandercook
through the state police. When all is
said and done, the ones who will pro-
fit most, both in the avoidance of ac-
.ident and the saving of time and
worry, will be the motorists them
elves, and it is expected that they
will cooperate willingly with the
state police in securing general OBJ
servance of the uniform signals,
A recent ruling by Attorney Cen
cral Merlin Wiley is expected also
% lead to uniform speed regulations
for the state. There has existed in
Michigan the same situation which
has existed all over the country, the
)nly uniformity in speed laws being
IN the open road where the only law
which could govern was the state
law. Speed regulations have varied
IN every state and village, and, more
han that, the extent to which speed
regulations were enforced also
varied, so that driver who saw a
sign limiting speed within a village
20 ten miles an hour has never been
able to tell whether the village au-
hOritcs would arrest him for driv-
ing eleven or were satisfied to have
him drive 20 or 30, providing there
was no traffic to hinder.
The Michigan motor-vehicle law
provides that automobiles may drive
I5 miles an hour on the state roads,
20 miles an hour IN the residence
portions of cities and villages, and Is
miles an hour in the business sec
ions. The conflict between city and
village law and the state law recent
" submitted to the encouragement,
and he ruled that the state law
would supercede village or city reg
ulations.
Inasmuch as the only traffic reg
Ilation in many Of the smaller viii
ages is by the state police, this
| uling will add a great deal of uni
formity to speed regulations
| throughout the state.
If the campaign for uniform sig
nails and uniform speed regulations
| works out as well as expected, it is
probable that provisions covering
both will be Incorporated in the state
motor-vehicle law when the next
legislature meets.