Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22

Some system by which speed in traffic
and upon the open road can be placed
in the proper category for regulation
system which would use speed as
measurement of hazard, as an ampli-
flcation. in its increasing form, of the
liability of the motor driver who trans
crosses. but which would also permit
Of more expeditions moving of traffic
over the streets and highways Of the
Nation-is the goal Of a special techni-
cal subcommittee named by the ma
tional committee for uniform traffic
regulations which met here last week
Another study, the results of which
may be of tremendous importance to
the motor drivers of the country, was
the proposal referred to this same COM
mittee that the Hoover code be so
changed as to recognize right-of-way
rule exactly opposite that in general
observance throughout the country.
Right-Of-Way Problem.
Proponents of the principle of grant,
ing the driver on the left. instead of
the driver on the right, the right of
way, offered the proposition as a means
Of eliminating street intersection Jams
which occur when motorist approach
ing a street on which there is heavy
flow of traffic exercises his rigkt-of-
way prerogative to get into the center
OF the intersection and there finds him
self blocking the street and unable to
go farther because of the continuous
stream of traffic with right of way
against him.
Under the right of way on the left"
rule, 1t was argued the motorist cannot
get into the street intersection until
the way is clear, but once in, he can use
MS right OF way, once he gets to the
center OF the intersection, to break
through the opposing stream of traffic.
Composed of some of the best traffic
minds IN the country. this subcommit-
tee Of the body, which is working for
uniform traffic regulation throughout
the country, at the behest of President
Hoover. has before it for consideration
radical new theory for dealing with
speed in motor traffic along with a
number Of minoE contemplated changes
In the so-called Hoover code for uniform
trafnc regulation and the model nunic-
ipal trafac ordinance.
Methods Held Unsatisfactory.
That the methods of cities and States
OF regulating speed upon the open roads
and In the cities are merely stopgaps.
highly unsatisfactory, and In some cases
posltiVely dangerous, was the consensus
OF the experts attending the session
OF the Hoover committee here last week.
and much discussion was held on the
subject, with the result that the techni-
cal committee was named to thresh out
this matter and report back its recon-
mendat1ons, If any. relative to the
changing in the uniform code of the
suggested limit Of IS miles an hour on
the open road.
The discussion was precipitated by
DR.. H. G. Dickinson of the Bureau OF
Standards. who moved that the clause
suggesting a limit of IS miles an hour
on the open road be eliminated from
the uniform code and that no substi-
tute be offered in its place. He pro-
pounded the view that speed limits are
arbitrary things at best and that the
only way to really regulate speed is to
properly define rights of way and there
by establish blame for accidents upon
the violators Of the right-of-way rules.
Another suggestion was made that
the open road limit be raised to so
miles an hour. No action was taken
upon either suggestion. DR.. Miller Nc
Clintock, director of the Albert Russell
Erskine bureau Of street traflc re-
search at Harvard University. who was
presiding over the meeting, was urged