Evening star., 1928-11-25
URGE UNIFORMITY
FOR VEHICLE CODE
American Motorists Asso-
citation Favors Model Traf-
fic Regulations.

Adoption of the uniform vehicle
code for all States and the model n1u-
nicipal traffic ordinance for cities, both
large and small, was voted the most
remedial legislation now pending for
the prevention of highway accidents at
the annual meeting Of the legislative
committee of the American Motorists
Association held here this week.
The uniform vehicle code is so de-
signed that It's provisions may be adapt
ed in the main by each State. while the
model municipal traffic ordinance IS
drafted with an idea Of giving to each
citv and town a uniform set of traffic
regulations that will not leave an OUT
of-town rnotorist In quandary as to
how to operate his vehicle. Each OF the
two pieces of legislation are the out
growth Of the National Conference on
Street and Highway Safety. OF which
President-elect Herbert Hoover was
chairman.
Success of the uniform vehicle code
is evidenced by the fact that already
19 States and the District Of Columbia
have partially adopted the code. They
are New Jersey, Massachusetts,. Rhode
Island, Connecticut, New York, PENN
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Califor-
MIA. New Hampshire, North Carolina,
Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota,
Arkansas, Idaho, Arizona, Washington,
Oregon and the District of Columbia.
The Legislatures in Al States, meet
ing in January, will consider the adop-
ton of the code, and In States where
the code has been only partially ADOPT
ed will consider additional provision
with the idea of having a uniform code
throughout the United States, according
to a survey made by the association.
New jersey is the first State to re-
port a 100 per cent uniformity in Its
traffic code, every regulation, signal and
marker pertaining to traffic in city or
country being uniform. The uniform
| code became effective throughout New
Jersey on September 1, and already It's
operation has met with favorable COM
ment by the motorists of that State and
by visiting motorists, reports to the as
sociation indicated.
Cites Highway Safety.
Under the uniform vehicle code, prob
ably the greatest factor In highway
safety will be to make all traff1c sig
nails uniform. thus dispelling from the
mind of the motorist his uncertainty
as to a citys regulation for right and
| left hand turns. Investigation in con-
nection with the drafting of the code
showed that high percentage OF ac-
cidents was caused by nervousness SUI
perinduced by the drivers uncertainty
as to traffic signals.
Traffic signals may no longer be To-
Gated in the center of the street, but
must be placed at the nearest point
conveying the message direct. under the
New Jersey uniform act. Jay walking
is made nisdemeanor. Coasting with
clutch out, or gears in neutral, Is pro-
hibited Stop signs are yellow. with
red lettering, and slow and caution
signs yellow. with black lettering. d.
rection information, restriction. de-
tour and one-way signs are uniform
while speed limits are liberali5ed by
the new code.
Commenting on the proposed adop-
ton by all States and cities respectively
of the new State and city model codes
Thomas j. Keefe. general manager Of
the association, declared that reason
able regulations so designed will com
mand respect and be to a large extent
self-enforcing. On the other hand. ne
pointed out, unreasonable or unduly re-
| strictiye measures arouse resentment
and invite disobedience and cannot DC
enforced by an army of traffic officers
Adoption by the States OF the vehicle
code and by cities of the model muni-
cipal traffic ordinance will be urged In
each State by affiliated clubs of the
| American Motorists Association, 1t was
voted by the legislative committee.