Evening star., 1923-09-02
OUTLINE UNIFORM
AUTOLAW PROGRAM
N. M. A. Points Out Impossi-
bi|ity of Some Regulations
| All Over Country.

Through the action of the National
Motorists Association in explaining
its policy with reference to uni
formity of motor vehicle regulations
an entirely new view of this time
honored subject is offered.
More important than uniformity of
The actual regulations. the associa-
ton sets forth, is the uniformity of
treatment accorded strangers when
visiting other cities and the stand
ardization of methods whereby rules
peculiar to Il community are made
known TO the tourist.
When the National Motorists As
sociation advocates uniformity" says
Fred II. Galley. executive secretary. "it
does not propose having all traffic
rules identical in all towns. Such
process is not only impractical but
undesirable. for the reason that only
through experimentation in traffic
regulations can anything approximate
ing progressive system be devised.
. ANY motoriSt who tours and who con-
siders the subject open mindedly will
admit that traffic regulation is evolu-
tionary and that to standardize it is
20 lower its standard.
The sort of uniformity needed is
not similarity of rules, which is rarely
possible, but a standardized form Of
acquainting the tourist with the
peCuliaritieS of the local rules. At the
entrances to all cities and towns there
should be posted on signs of uniform
size and character brief but accurate
instructions as to the details of the
community's rules. Parking regula-
tions signs should be placed where
motorists are accustomed to looking
for them, and fire hydrantS should
bear the local instructions for clear
Rnce.
Uniform Laws Impossible.
"Cnless every city and town in the
country has streets of the same width
intersections of the same form and
conditions identically the same uni
formity of traffic rules will never be
possible.
In certain cities it is obvious that
1t is more logical to pass around an
officer in turning; in other places
turns are better made in front of him.
One-way streets and prohibited left
turns vary with local conditions and
cannot be made identical throughout
the country no matteF how ideal such
an arrangement might seem Some
of the most ideal arrangements in
New York or San Francisco might
be grossly impractical elsewhere.
There is healthy rivalry among
cities in effort to arrive at some
more practical means Of speeding up
traffic with safety and of simplifying
parking. and this should be en-
couragcd. But not at the expense of
tho motorist. or to his embarrassment.
The National Motorists Associa
tion takes the position that no tourist
should be obliged to worry as to what
he should do in driving through a
strange town. The instructions
should be given him where and when
he is accustomed to look for them
In other words, he should be given
every opportunity to cooperate with
the city in following out it's traffic
plans.
Suggests Change.
Something practical in the way of
uniformity, for instance, would be an
auxiliary sign attached to the stop
go sign Indicating how a turn should
be made. Parkings on the paving
would also simplify the process. In
any case, the important point is to see
that the tourist knows what to do,
so that he will not be out of har-
mony with the local traffic. and thus
not so likely to cause trouble or oc-
CaSion an accident.
uniformity of conditions is utterly
impossible unless we are to redesign
all cities alike. Therefore uniformity
of local rules is equally impossible.
Where or where not cars shall park
will ever remain the privileges of the
local authorities just laws differ
among states and ordinances among
cities. Time limitations or methods
of parking should be shown by proper
signs.
But uniformity of tourist educa-
tion is essential to. safety and fur
thermore is practical. 1t is spreading
among those cities which appreciate
the fact that safety and simplifica-
tion result from helping the stranger
But the situation demands more than
courtesy on the part of the traffic Off
GERS. There should be a uniform Sys-
tenn of enlightening the tourist.
The National Motorists Associa-
tion is working toward this goal in
the belief that it will enable each
city to adopt the regulations best
suited to it's needs without in any
way inconvenienCing the tourist"