Evening star., 1924-11-25

Uniform rules governing conduct OF
travellers on the highways, standard
speed regulation aimed primarily at
reckless driving. and examination
and licensing OF all motor vehicle
operators. with n ban on the mem
tally or physically unfit as we'll as
persons under 16 years of age, or
who cannot read English, are the out
standing recommendations OF the
committee on traffic control of the
National Conference on Street and
Highway Safety, which will be pre-
sented to the conference when 1t
meets. December Is.
The most abundant provision Of
adequate streets and highways, the
most careful working out of traffic
regulations and the most vigorous
enforcement of traffic laws. to be 100
per cent effective in the reduction of
accidents, must be supplemented by
d sense of personal responsibility in
stilled in every motorfst and every
pedestrian" the report asserts. The
report makes no specific recommen-
dations as to traffic control in any
city, its recommendations being gem
eral and capable of application in
any municipality.
Reckless Driving Scored.
Other important recommendations
of the committee are:
That regulation of speed of We
hicles should be directed primarily at
reckless driving. making 1t unlawful
to operate a vehicle at a speed great
er than is reasonable and proper. hav-
ing regard for the traffic and use of
the highway, or so as to endanger the
life, limb or property of any person.
Parking should not be permitted
I, ND Ia, arfn "
impede moving traffic. or prevent rea-
sonable access to the sidewalk for
loading or unloading of vehicles. In
business districts of cities II may be-
come necessary by some means to
provide ample parking space entirely
off the street.
Uniformity and simplicity of hand
signals is desired. A single caution
ary signal, made by extending the
arm we'll outside the vehicle, as
warning that the operator Is about to
turn, slow down, stop or back, Is
recomme nded as preferable to a code
which attempts to show exactly what
the operator intends to do.
Courtesy Is Emphasized.
Pedestrians and motorists should
bear a considerate attitude toward
each other. In cities pedestrians
should be instructed, urged and re-
quired to keep within the boundaries
of designated safety zones and cross
ing places and when there is conges-
ton to cross only with the traffic
Motorists should be required to accord
pedestrians safe and dignified use OF
such safety zones and crossing places.
Reckless driving and any other
fragrant disregard of the rights of
others by any user of the streets or
highways should be vigorously and
uncea singly prosecuted. There should
be legislation providing adequate
penalties for infractions Of the traffic
rules, including mandatory revoca-
tion OF licenses for specified length
of time for cumulative evidence OF
carelessness or irresponsibility. for
operating d motor vehicle while under
the influence of intoxicating liquor
or drugs, or for other serious offenses
against the motor vehicle law, and
severe penalties for driving after re-
vocation; there should be sufficient
number of organized traffic officers to
detect and prosecute such infractions,
and there should be cooperation be-
tween states for the enforcement of
the laws in each state.
Too Many Rules Unwisc.
The committee found that most of
the traffic laws and regulations
everywhere are violated frequently,
and that almost every operator of d
motor vehicle, however good a cftl-
zen he may be, violates some traf
law or regulation occa asionally: Be
cause SO many of these laws are
practically unenforceable and SO
many of them unreasonable" the re-
port declared, IAN unwholesome con-
tempt for the law and an inclination
to substitute individual judgment for
the prescribed rules has grown up
throughout the country. This con-
tempt has been enhanced by the
great lSck of uniformity in different
localities.
The committee gave serious
thought to the question Of speed linn
its, the majority of it's membership
believing that the law should be di
rected solely against reckless driving.
The report declared that ''ft is impos-
sibe to fix any safe limit and that
the attempt to do so, with the result
ant constant violation Of and contempt
for the law is one of the chief causes
of motor accidents. 1t recommends
that cities. villages and other politi-
cal subdivisions should be empowered.
however, to establish speed limits
within their boundaries in harmony
with the State law. A limit of 35
miles an hour would be placed on the
open highway.
One Of the most serious sources Of
danger on the highwoy. according to
the report. is the motorist who un-
dertakes to pass another vehicle go
ing in the same direction regardless
of whether he has d clear view ahead
taking it for granted that the way
will open up for him to get back into
line If he suddenly meets a car COM
ing from the opposite direction. The
committee recommends an absolute