Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-07


OF those who propose a revision or
the present regulation.
That many valuable lanes OF traftic
are lost to use because Of the mid
street driving is agreed by Mr.. Ed
ridge. That the practice results daily
In dangerous and needless congestion
because motorists willing to drive up
TO the speed limit are given no chance
to pass on the left also Is recognized
by the traffic director.
The rapidly growing number OF
those who favor rule permitting
either right or left side passing de-
clare the system has proved its safety
and other emphatic merits, In the
most severe tests to which 1t has been
submitted in virtually every large city
in the country. 1t has been found in
Chicago, New York and elsewhere,
that when passing on either SIDE is
made legal, traffic finds its proper lane.
stays there and drives at speed that
greatly helps to relieve the business
area of congestion.
No Tmeptation to WObble."
There is no temptation for the motor
list to "wobble" from one lane to an
other, for he has found out that the
practice Is dangerous and without a
legal defense. That Washington will
learn this lesson quickly to the great
advantage of it's traffic. is the firm con-
tention of those who advocate the
change in the present regulations.
"Since passing on the right is prac-
ticed on one-way streets at present, the
traffic bureau doubtless has been able
TO determine whether 1t is safe. Have
you had many accidents from this
cause?" Mr.. Eldridge was asked.
mo, we have not" he replied.
Such accidents as have resulted from
right-hand passing have been found
TO occur at intersections where, of
course, it is illegal to pass either on
the right or left.
eff, however, we do decide to recem-
mend right-hand passing, we shall
make no change in the regulations
which specify that there be no pass
ing on either side at a street inter
section"
In this, the experience of the Traffic
Bureau comedies with the emphatical.
ly made point of proponents of q
change in the regulations that when
1t is the fixed habit of motorists to
drive in the center of the thorough
fare, there are times when 1t Is rela-
lively safer to pass on the right than
The left, although such driving is
counter to the present traffic code.
Worthy OF Consideration.
amy proposal that will assure full
utilization Of our wide streets, par
ticularly our arterial highways, is
worthy Of consideration" Mr. Ed.
ridge says. Traffic authorities from
other cities are Immediately impress
ed with our highway system. They
declare that the broad, radial streets
should facilitate tremendously the So
luton of all our traffic problems. They
are right, but we can not have full use
OF the street surface. while we have
such an amount of left-lane driving.
THE far-sightedness of local Off.
Gals is nowhere better demonstrated
than in the STRENGTHENING move
lnent Our downtown thoroughfares
are being extended wherever posi-
BILE and as rapidly as possible WIN
he fun value of this movement be
lost because Washington motorists
use only that portion of the street in
The exact center?
sit will not If any way can be
found to prevent il. If passing on
The right is the only solution of the
problem, 1t will be solved that way.
The plan now is being studied and
its every advantage will be given
consideration.
THAT relief from left-lane driving
would be the equivalent of the add
zion Of many streets to the National
Capitals system is undoubtedly true
That K would mean the end of need
1855 and dangerous congestion, that II
would speed up traffic and generally
improve conditions, is not TO be Ques
toned"