The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-09-03
The PubIic's Deep Interest in
Traffic Conditions

.ff;o conditions il washington and traffic rules and
regulations continue hold first place among al problems
in this city The large number Of letters TO this newspaper
are barometer Of public sentiment They can not AL be
published but some the inquiries made should interest the
public and our traffic authorities as we'll
Slowly our traffic troubles win solved there
can be solution considering the human phases involved
and the that nobody has yet found way to change
human nature.
The Director Of Traffic and the traffic police are working
night and day to improve conditions here they make
mistakes they willing to correct them The public ap
pareny objects to traffic changes yet is constantly
pointing changes that should be made This situation
perplexing
For the benefit Of traffic auhore including the police
department. these questions from prominent attorney are
submitted
why is it that some crossing policemen whistles while
others do not thereby adding to the confusion OF the
motorists
Whv IS It that the Washington traffic policemen are
not drilled IN uniform gesture with the hand such as IS
employed in other cities signal motorists at intersections
instead Of the present haphazard individually adopted
signals employed9
prominent clubman asks these questions
Is there no way Of making SLOW traffic KEEP TO
THE RIGHTG This applies only to slow moving ye.
hicles generally but to big cumbersome busses that
are each day hogging Of street and road
they use SO that that happens want to get some
where as quickly the law allows, have chance
Why drivers be made to see the advantage TO
themselves as well as to those following them Of pointing
with their extended hand the left long before they
reach the intersection they intend turning and getting
over to the extreme left Of their line Of traffic well
before they reach intersection instead Of waiting until
they are just about many instances have started to
their and then often from the extreme RGHI
Of the traffic line they IN thus causing everyone back
of them jam their brakes and then not always
be able avoid collision, when making LETT hand turnsI
And why should ANY signal be required when making
right hand when making IS but getting out
the road without chance Of interfering with anyone
and too when often than not the signal when given
so carelessy that often than not At s
signal left hand turn and must wait
to what really is going to happen
There other citizens who write to The Times commend
ing the handling Of traffic in Washington as compared Win
other cities and many Washing who have been u
ether places recently that conditions here are
than elsewhere
One writer points out Washington pedestrians are
protected against left hand turns st al Of the important
traffic centers and protected that traffic itself not
impeded by lining vehicles in the center Of bOuleVards
Our lighting system Sixteenth street and Massachu
sets avenue operated the agger system IS way ahead
Of the Fifth lights system in New York have
started at the Of Sixteenth street and driven
straight through due to the advantages Of the staggr align
ment. No one can do this in New York !" Z
hard for bear In mind that satisfactory traffic
management the difficult Of all American problems
today and that should be thankful that in many ways
the administration of traffic in this city well ahead Of most
Of the large cities