Evening star., 1928-04-08
H|GH,SPEED ROADS
CALLED ESSENTIAL
Network of Routes Exclusive
Iy for Fast Driving Is
Advocated.

Highways designed and built for the
fast cars of today will do more to pre-
vent accidents and promote safety than
obsolete speed limits which are neither
possible nor desirable to enforce, accord
ing to Paul G. Hoffman, automotive
executive.
Sensible legislation and enforcement
will help make motor roads safe for
higher speeds, but to achieve the ulti-
mate America must build network of
specially constructed high-Speed road
ways For the past several years there
has been a great deal of discussion
about superhighways and specially con-
structed toll roads, perhaps built by
private capital, on which speeds more
than 60 miles an hour would be safe.
1t is time to stop talking and get busy
on the actual construction OF these
roads. They are no longer deemed
visionary by highway engineers.
The outstanding example of the
modern high-Speed superhighway de-
manded by preSent-day conditions is
found in Italy. The AutoStrada, con-
meeting Milan with nearby centers. Is
giving a spectacular demonstration of
the safety of high speeds on properly
constructed highways. There is no
speed limit on this system of travel
lanes. no grade crossings, and pedes-
trians are barred by strong fences.
1.-The AutoStrada is safe for high
speeds because the elements that make
high speeds dangerous have been elimi-
mated. Speed in itself is not dangerous.
but in connection with blind interSec-
tionS, sharp turns. steep grades and
possible conflict with other traffic fast
driving may be reckless driving, and
must be recognized as such. Take away
the causes of danger, Straighten the
sharp turns. ease the grades, prevent
cross traffic. keep out pedestrians, sepa-
rate grade crossings. and you have a
highway as safe as any specially con-
structed speedway. Nearly 1000 cars a
day travel the Autostrada, and the acci-
dents are almost nil.
"An autoStrada between New York
and Philadelphia would mean safe
and sane trip by motor in less than
three hours ANY motoriSt who has
ever driven over the Boston post road
between New York and Boston knows
what an improvement such a route
would be connecting those two cities. A
similar roadway between San Francisco
and Los Angeles would reduce the run
ming time from IS hours to less than 10
with perfect safety. Detroit, Toledo and
Cleveland could be linked together the
same way. Milwaukee and Chicago
could be brought an hour closer TO each
other by this means.
"A recent editorial said: "A hundred
and fifty miles an hour over the Florida
sands is no longer news. Two hundred
miles is worth paragraph or two.
FIivvers on city boulevards are faster
than express trains
THAT is profoundly significant OF the
progress made by the motor car. Speed
is an accepted fact. Every new car that
rolls from the assembly lines makes the
old conception of speed and highway
legislation more and more obsolete.
"A few States have raised their speed
limits from IS or 80 miles an hour to IS
and even IS miles an hour But legisla-
ton Is still behind the times. You can
not legislate safety: it must be built into
the highways. America has made as
founding progress in highway develop
ment. To maintain that progress 1t
must and will undertake the construc-
ton of a new type of superhighway that
has already proved both its necessity
and its value"