Evening star., 1928-06-10

years long enough to permit conclusions
TO be drawn, and as additional States
III future bring their laws up to date,
there is every reason TO believe that
they will show bettered traffic condi-
tions and retarded, or even actually
lower, accident rates. The effect OF
Standardization of traffic laws and reg.
ulations should be cumulative--nnore
and more effective rs more and more
States come into line. The year 1920
with a. Legislatures meeting, will be an
important one for motor vehicle leg
islation The campaigns of the motor
clubs and associations will. OF course,
be one of the greatest influences in de-
termining the results.
Model Traffic Ordinance.
Although proper State laws and good
State administration are fundamental,
a second and almost equally great need
is proper set of municipal regulations
and competent city traffic administra-
ton. In fact some cities, for example
st. Louis and Kansas City, through eX-
traordinary efforts, have shown good
records In spite of inadequacy Of their
State laws and deplorable accident rec
ords on the rural highways OF the State.
But these good records are exceptional,
and in general conditions in the cities
are largely similar to those in the States
in which they lie. The problem OF many
cities will be greatly lessened by the
adoption OF adequate and uniform traf-
fic legislation by their States, and this
will facilitate application of the pro-
posed model municipal traffic ordinance,
which Is based on the uniform vehicle
code and designed to meet the needs of
our cities and towns.
This model ordinance has been
drafted by a committee OF about 100
men, appointed by Secretary Hoover
last Summer in response to a wide
spread demand. The committee Is under
the chairmanship of William E. Metz
ger of Detroit. The model ordinance
provisions are based on a thorough
study of the traffic ordinances now in
effect in about 100 cities and towns
throughout the country. and will offer
what is regarded as the best and most
successful practice. but with sufficient
fiexibility to allow adaptations to par
ttcular conditions in the various COM
munities.
"A good deal Of study has been going
on in q number of cities to work out
the best traffic rules and regulations
and the best organization of the traf-
fic administration Notable investiga-
tions have been made in Los Angeles.
Chicago, Boston. San Francisco, Pitts
burgh, Buffalo and other cities. The
traffic ordinance committee includes
traffic engineers, legal experts and busi-
ness men who have participated in
the studies In these and other cities
and their experience has been drawn on
in working out the proposed ordinance.
1t Is hoped that the results will be use
full 10 many cities now struggling with
their traffic problems.
"A tentative draft OF the model or
dinance has been completed and has
been sent out for criticism and SuggeS
tons in the number of about 10000
copies to all nterested-public officials.
motor organizations. chambers of COM
merce, safety councils, automobile deal
ers associations, etc. The criticism and
suggestions are due TO be received in
the Office OF the conference in the
Department of Commerce by the middle
OF June and thereafter the committee
will be brought together again to con-
slider them in preparing the final draft
Of the ordinance.
The committee on model munich
pal traffic ordinance also recognizes
that the great need is for an adequate
set-up to work out the traffic problem
competent men specialized In working
on different aspects of the problem In
each community. In each State and in
each special field of study. We need
continuing traffic surveys. analysis of
traffic movement and methods of con-
troll, development of ways and means for
coping with the problem of automobile
parking and storage. 1t is necessary
that sound progress for handling of
traffic, for rebuilding our streets and
controlling the future growth Of our
cities be worked out in systematic
manner and with the interest and sup
port OF those concerned
The model ordinance committee
has therefore proposed, in addition TO
the main ordinance, supplementary
ordnance providing for the creation
OF traffic commission for the COM
munity adopting IT. This commission
would include the mayor. chief of po-
lice, city engineer, traffic engineer.
street commissioner, representatives OF
the park and city planning commits
sions, the corporation counsel and a
member Of the city council All Of these
ofiicialg are concerned with the traffic
problem and should participate In pre-
pairing any official proposals for its So
luton. Unless each Is given a voice
IN the matter, measures ideal from the
point of view of some but highly OBJ
jectionable from certain aspects may be
put into effect.
Another needed organization which
few cities have today is a traffic engi-
neer's Office. Traffic engineering is a
new and rapidly developing profession
There eIsAn xnt,snS.~~ -