Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-27
PASSING TO RIGHT
CALLED SAFETY AID
Critics Declared to Be I'm.
familiar With Success of
Plan Elsewhere.
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

Obvious misunderstanding of ths
purpose and certain effect of the pro
posed amendment TO the District traf
fic code which would permit passing
vehicle on either the right or left Ii
attributed to those who criticize such
a modification of the local regulations
Unfamiliarity with the beneficial re
suits that have followed adoption Of
this driving practice in other large
cities Is thought by sponsors of the
change to be the only explanation OF
the belief in some quarters that the
proposed amendment will cause con
fusion on the streets OF Washington
Ready and emphatic answer tc
critics of the proposal which has been
submitted to the District Commission
ers Is declared to be found in the ex
perience Of New York. Chicago, Phila'
dclphia, Detroit and other large cities
where the practice of passing on
either the right or left Is considered to
be a splendid factor in making traffic
safer and moving 1t with far greater
dispatch.
Advantages Pointed Out.
Utilization of the full width of the
street, keeping traffic always in its
proper lane, permitting vehicles to
turn with a minimum of delay to
others and elimination of the ever
dangerous "wobble'' have been found
to be the certain effects of either-side
passing in Americas largest cities.
That 1t would do the same for the
National Capital Is the firm conviction
of far-sighted observers who have
given their hearty Endorsement to the
amendment offered by Traffic Director
Eldridge after approval by the Dis
trict Traffic Council. In substantial
ton Of their position, the experience
of metropolitan centers which permit
right or left side passing is cited.
In New York and Chicago, for in
stance, traffic officials found that the
system was the largest factor In
abating congestion and bringing a
summary end to the dangers result
ing from it. By no other means, il
was found, could the great volume
of street traffic be moved. With every
driver acquainted with the advan.
tages Of the practice, the vehicular
stream moves with rapidity and &C
cidents have been reduced to a mini.
mum, particularly during the hours
Of peak travel.
Driver Holds Remedy.
1t is pointed out by proponents of
right.hand passing that the critic OF
the proposed amendment to the regu.
lations has In his own hands a GER
tain preventative for the dangers he
processes to see. II do not want to
be passed on the right is the chief
note in the criticism now being
voiced. Under the suggested change.
any driver can prevent this by driv.
ing to the right, which will permit
left passing. And In driving over
toward the right curb, he will be Civ.
ing to the amendment it's primary
objective - that of using the vast
street space now wasted because
thousands of drivers are middle Of
the-roaders.''
Thus the driver who objects to be.
ing passed on the right never needs to
be II he merely will pay attention to
his proper position on the street.
Selfishness and a desire to perpetu.
ate one OF the oldest of driving buga.
boos are attributed to opponents of
the measure. The middle.of- the-road
driver is the chief obstruction to eel
eritous traffic movement in the
National Capital, traffic surveys have
revealed, and If it Is true that fear
has forced him into the center of the
street, 1t is argued that the same
emotion may well be used to drive
him back to the lane in which he
belongs.
The fear that drives many into the
middle Of the street-that q car sud.
denly may swerve out from the curb
or a pedestrian walk in front of his
car-has been proved to be ground.
less, particularly on the arterial high.
ways of the city.
Curbs Kept Clear.
Curbs on the more important of
these and other streets are kept clear
OF parked cars, particularly during
the rush hours. and one may see for
blocks ahead. The new fear voiced by
this type OF car owner is declared to
be equally groundless, for driving
over toward the right curb. II is
pointed out, will make right passing
not only impossible but altogether
This Is the point emphasized in re.
ply to opponents Of the proposed
change In the regulations. The large
enect Will be psychologist. It will
drive traffic out of the middle OF the
street, making, as one observer de.
clares, "right-hand passing unneces-
sary by making 1t legal"
Leaders in automotive and traffic
thought In the National Capital heart.
lily are In favor Of the amendment.
Pyke johnson of the National Auto
mobile Chamber of Commerce. long
identified with the motor industry and
thoroughly acquainted with traffic
conditions throughout the Nation, fore.
sees the creation of many additional
traffic lanes by driving the road hog
out OF his stronghold"
III traffic is to move safely and
swiftly Mr.. johnson is convinced.
washington should learn to use the
full width OF it's broad arteries. The
citys street system can be made to
mt conditions nearly ideally. 1t is
squarely up 10 the driver, and right
or lett hand passing will help him to
solve the problem"
Smiths Views Coincide.
The views Of Ernest N. Smith, gen.
eral manager of the American Auto
mobile Association. coincide, In the
main, with others who back the
change.
Right or left hand passing has
worked out with real success wherever
IL has been tried" Mr.. Smith said
Chicago, Detroit, New York and
Philadelphia traffic authorities have
found IL a real boon in untangling
their vehicular snarls. The driver
who is afraid Of being passed On the
right should realize that he need
never be If he keeps over toward the
curb or the side of the read"
when this proposal was before
the Traffic Council 1t was developed
that it's effect on local traffic would
be decidedly salutary," says Stanley
II. Horner, president OF the Wash.
ington Automotive Trade Associa.
ton and a member of the council.
Much of the delay and danger that
confront local drivers is traceable to
the fact that thousands of motorists
refuse to bulge from the center OF