Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-24
LEFT TURN RULES
SCORED BY OFFUTT
Board of Trade Committee
Chairman Urges Hoover
Code in Radio Talk.

Rapping the left turn practiced at
controlled intersections in the Capital,
George w. Offutt, chairman Of the traf-
flee committee of the washington Board
of trade in a radio talk last night over
Station WMAI,, gave reasons why the
so-called Hoover turn, used generally
over the country, should be substituted
here.
Explaining that the Board of Trade,
after studying the traffic system here,
IS opposed to the present left turn be-
cause 1t makes the traffic regulations
more complex, Mr.. Offutt suggested
that the adoption OF the universal turn
here should be followed up by an educa-
tional campaign giving publicity to the
fact that the provisions of the uniform
traffic code are in effect locally and
that the authorities insist upon strict
and impartial enforcement of these pro-
visions"
Five Regulations in Force.
At present, Mr.. Offutt explained
there are five regulations controlling
the left turn in Washington which adds
to the confusion of local as well as
visiting motorists, where, If the Hoover
turn were in use, one regulation would
suffice.
The Board of Trade Furthermore is
opposed to the existing rule. Mr.. Offutt
declared, because Washington, as the
Capital of the Nation, should lead in
the uniformity of municipal regula-
tons"
washington does not have a rule
for making left-hand turns" he said
but has five different and distinct rules.
The rotary turn method is definitely
prescribed for left-hand turns at in
terSections controlled by traffic lights,
the Hoover turn is prescribed for one
way streets, while turns at intersec-
tionS controlled by tarff1c officers are
made in conformity with the instruc-
tions of the officers. and turns at in
tersections not controlled are made In
accordance with the Hoover code.
'Is it not reasonable to presume that
because Of the larger number of inter-
sections in Washington, where the
Hoover turn is made without serious
accident or confusion, 1t would be
better to have this same turn system
at intersections controlled by traffic
lights or traffic policemen" he asked.
Inside Turn Held Better.
THE most outstanding trafic en-.
gineerS of the country have agreed that
the Hoover turn, or the inside left turn
is the most practical the most effec-
tive and the least confusing method Of
making left-hand turns.
WHY LIlcIl, CdIlIlOU WdSIllI1RIOIl GIle
heart Of the Nation, accept what Is
being practiced almost universally ano
with which the greatest majority OF
motorists are familiar; then educate
local motorists and visitors by giving
publicity to the fact that the provisions
of the uniform traffic code are in effect
locally and insist upon strict and i'm
partial enforcement of these provi-
S1onS?"
Reviewing the steps that led to the
framing of the Hoover code, Mr.. Offutt
pointed out that left-hand turns, al
their best, cause the most confusion in
traffic, because it is impossible to make
them without crossing other lines OF
traffic or passing into or through an
other line.
Unfortunately, he continued. Wash
1ngton does not adhere to the standard
Hoover turn and instead of the Nations
Capital being one of the first cities to
set the pace for uniformity of traffic
regulations, the prescribed method OF
making left-hand turns, at least, is out
of keeping with the general progress
toward uniformity.
Visitors Do Not Realize Method.
"Of course, the rotary turn is used
In Washington only at intersections
controlled by traffic lights or traffic Of
ficerS but the average out-of-town
motorist does not realize this, and at
tempts to use it at all intersections
and, as is to be expected, choas in
traffic results, with the visiting motor
ist more confused than ever, and in
his mind is created a general contempt
for local regulations which may result
In general disregard Of them.
The motorist is not to blame
Neither can he be expected to know
that someone in each city through
which he passes has some provincial
scheme in effect which is going to
haraSs him and other motorists"