Evening star., 1928-02-12
raffic Bureau Is Clearing House for Auto Drivers


him TO recover from the excitement OF
his first practical examination In run
ming an automobile along the broad
highway. The examiners travel six
different routes In the driving tests,
the route OF each man being changed
daily.
One OF the chief executives Of the
New York City Traffic Department re-
Gently spent several days In Washing
cal bureau This official came 20 the
National Capital after a roundup trip
to many Of the leading Eastern and
Middle Western cities. After detailed
In yestigation of the District Trafflc Bu-
reau. ne ranked 1t al the best now In
operation In the United States. His
analysis was made from the standpoint
OF all-around efficiency. There were
certain aspects OF the work IN which
other cities excelled Washington, but
on the general average the local bureau
eclipsed It's associates, according TO MS
statement.
The curtailment In accidents and
deaths demonstrates that the reforms
now standardized In the District Traf-
flc Bureau are meritorious. Last year.
the total traffic accidents amounted 10
3.144, as compared with 1929 the pre-
vious IL months, decrease OF over 80
per cent. During the same period tra!-
flc deaths fell about 10 per cent TneIe
we're 36.l28 persons arrested Tor trafnc
violations during the last fiscal year
and the great majority Oh tnem Wele
fined or given prison sentences.
TT isn't all hard work and nonotonous
L repetition at the Trafic Bureau. for
every once In 80 often something !uoi-
crous occurs which gives the force an
opportunity for a hearty laugh. For
example, a colored man appeared a.
the headquarters not so long ago VINO
had had his drivers permit revoked
because Of a major trafic violation.
And he does not understand yet Why
everybody laughed when ne said, Use
askin boss. how long before you'au Is
through provokin' my permit"
In replying TO the examiners inquiry
concerning how close he could legally
park his car TO fire plug. an applicant
replied, Not nearer than 1000 feet"
The authorities forthwith decided that
, 1t would be difficult for the man 70
find a stopping place for his car IN
Washington, so they refused TO issue
permit
Not to mention those who translate
"detour" sign as meaning go" and
caution" sign to many signifies either
| conscience" or kosher" The word
nationality" on the application blank
is remarkable poser" 1t draws such
written replies as gentle" "colo-ed."
Baptist" Protestant" and 50 on.
| One lady when asked what she would
| do in case of an accident hesitated a
moment and then replied. I'D get ready
to be called fool and then would
| apologize" Which Is not exactly the
/ procedure required by District law
| II is only after you listen IL" on
/ few OF the traffic examinations and
| watch the road tests from the curb
| that you can comprehend why 10..40
| OF the 30,434 applicants for drivers
/ permits during the last l2 months were
refused. This small Army OF rejects"
Is now studying road regulations. car
operation, and having its eyes improved
+ by glasses with hopes Of better luck
when its members will trek once more
| the well marked trail which leads to
/ the Traffic Bureau.
| During the last fiscal year the free
| headlamp testing station operated In
| the rear Of the Traffic Bureau examined
/ the lights on 5.071 District automobiles.
The headlamps on only l2i Of these
motor cars complied fully with the local
regulations. All the other lights needed
! focusing. adjustment or repair II these
! cars are representative Of the 10000
/ machines now owned and operated IN
Washington the headlaups OF 976 per
/ cent are dangerous TO other operators
because OF glare and binding beams
focused in the approaching drivers
face. It takes less than FIVE minutes To
stop at the test station and have the
headlamps on your machine examined
and adjusted. Every time a new bulb
Is placed in lamp such readjustrient
Is necessary This is a safety measure
mat eliminates certain hazards OF night
driving which every auto owner should
utilize. approximately one-fifth Of the
headlights tested provide insufficient u.
Illumination for the driver 70 have fun
visibility OF the road ahead.
Last year the brakes on 464 sutorno-
oiieS. many OF which were involved in
tramc accidents. were also tested.
small device placed on the floor OF the
car registers the efficiency Of the BRACES
during driving and stopping tests. Ao-
proximately four out Of every 10 Of
these machines were equipped with de-
iective brakes. the majority OF which
needed refining. These cars were un-
saie 70 operate on District streets and
avenues. There are probably thou
sands Of machines in the Distric, To-
/ day which need similar inspection ard
mechanical rehabilitation.
| IN an enort 70 prevent commercial
trucks from transporting illegal bur-
oens which exceed the maximum loads
au'noriseo 10 travel District streets the
franc Bureau has stopped vehicles II,
/ various parts Of the District and sub
lecteo them TO locometsr tests. The
lodometer Is an accurate device which
weighs the trucks and their carSoes.
sixteen trucks out OF 50 examined werr
found 10 be overloaded OveSbuxdersS
motor trucks not only wear oU, District
streets prematurely but they also are
! nienaceS 10 trafic in thar they are
liable 70 break down due 70 ovsr,oadinr
and cause accidents
nURING recent months the Tranr
Bureau has weighed every piece @.
rre-nghting apparatus in the D.Ssr,c,
| 10 make sure that these vehicles were
| not too heavy 10 traverse all the local
bridges without liability os CAUSING acc.-
| dents due to overload The inyes:isa-
| tion proved that the trafsc bridges now
IN use are strung enough ~ acxumr.o-
GATE the heaviest Are eGuipnlen. ~ the
District department..
| A corps Of 20 mechanics manusa .s,Ire
many thousand trafsc signs IN me
| special shops operated by the yralNe
| bureau. while they also ra,n, ah,u,
/ 10000 feet Of white lines In s,ress
markings and safety scneS each wear