Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
IGNORANCE Of LAW
CAUSE OF T|E-UPS
Slow Thinking and oor
Judgment Also Delay Traffic,
Says A. A. 4. Head.

Familiarity with the rules of the
road and local traffic ordinances should
be an essential part of every automo-
bile drivers mental equipment. in or
der to expedite traffic and avoid con-
sestion, according TO the American
Automobile Association.
Traffic delays are largely the result
Of slow thinking and poor judgment
resulting, 1t is pointed out, from I'M
familiarity with the motor laws and
regulations.
Motorists themselves are largely re.
sponSible for traffic tie-ups, and relief
from such situations is largely IN
their hands. says Thomas P. Henry.
president of the A. a. A, In a state
ment Just issued by the association.
A. A. a. Statement.
Just SO long as we have drivers
who do not take the trouble to IA
miliarize themselves with the motor
regulations. he explains, we shall
continue to be the victims of traffic
congestion.
Our clubs are already forwarding
letters from their members, in which
the complaint Is set forth that traffic
is being constantly held up by persons
who do not take the trouble to know
what is what with respect to rules
and regulations. These letters clearly
indicate great deal of disregard for
the Importance of law familiarity in
speeding up traffic and III removing
the obstacle OF congestion.
Charles S. Howe, president. of the
Case School of Applied Science. in
writing the Cleveland Automobile Club
on this subject, declared that 1t had
been his daily experience TO be held
up in traffic by reason of drivers who
do not know that they are permitted
to make right turn regardless of the
position OF the traffic sign.
"'There is considerable delay at GER
tain times and at certain places, he
adds, because of this ignorance on the
part of drivers
From q member of another aflili-
ated A. A. A. club in Hartford, Conn.
it Is learned that unfamiliaritywith the
local regulations is a frequent cause
of unnecessary congestion. The mem
Der reports that, though a return to
the plan Of always turning to the
right has been in force for a month
or SO, many drivers are still blocking
a line OF cars in the belief that the
local ordinances require them to do 50.
Pennsylvania Rules.
Traffic in Philadelphia, aud other
PENNSYLVANIA cities that pattern after
the Qua'e r City's regulations. is fire.
Quently lelayed and complicated by
reason the inability Of many per-
sons TO grasp the idea of driving over
10 the curb before making Il left-hand
turn. This is the rule in this particu-
lar locality. and it has been in forte
Cor a long time; yet there are many
Philadelphia drivers who do not ap-
pear to be able TO fall in with the
spirit of local regulations. Congestion
Is the inevitable result.
Mr.. Henry points out that it is not
the purpose of the A. A. A. to discuss
the merits of the various local ordi-
nances. but rather to emphasize the
importance of familiarity with ones
own local rules and regulations. In his
opinion, uniformity in compliance with
local regulations is the basis of ma
tional uniformity in motor vehicle
regulations.
1T is foolish even TO think of ma
ttonal standardization of motor laws.