Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-25
FAvORS STANDARD
RULES IN TRAFFIC
Chamber of Commerce
Praises Present Regulations
Here as Safe, However.

Standardized trance regulations
framed by national conference Of
traffic directors still are favored by the
washington Chamber of Commerce, 1t
became known last night, when Charles
w. Darr, president of the chamber,
made public resolution adopted by
that body at the last executive COM
nittee.
In the same resolution, however, the
executive committee commended Wash
tngton's present traffic regulations, in
Guiding the controverted left turn, and
the zeal with which they have been en-
forced by the police. The committee
bases its satisfaction with the present
regulations upon the contention that
the National Capital occupies an ex-
traordinarily high position in respect to
low traffic fatalities"
1.-THE position of the Washington
Chamber of Commerce with relation to
standardized traffic" the resolution
states, was expressed In a resolution
adopted by the chamber at e regular
monthly meeting of It's entire member
ship held September, 1927, and which
resolution recommended that confer
ence of the traffic directors Of all cities
in the United States be called, to be
held in Washington, and with a view
to passing traffic regulations applicable
to every city in the United States In
respect of the left-hand turn the cham
Der at its regular meeting In May. 1929,
adopted a resolution which indorsed
the present outside rotary left-hand
turn, because 1t Is less hazardous to the
pedestrian and recommended that 1t be
continued pending receipt of tnfor-
nation based upon a longer experience
in those cities now operating under the
National Conference plan"
Denies Regulations Unsafe.
In making public the resolution
which was adopted by the chamoers
executive committee as its action on
the report of the organizations COM
mittee on police and fire protection and
public safety, Mr.. Darr declared 1t is
the purpose of the Chamber OF Com
merce to call 1.-The attention OF the
motorists of the United States to the
fact that the traffic regulations IN the
District of Columbia are such as TO
make for personal and property safety,
impression, If any such exists in the
minds of the motorists Of the states,
that Washington's traf1c regulations
are chaotic and unsafe"
Expressing the belief that accidents
"do not Just happen" but that tney
are caused by Ignorance, careleSsness
or by recklesSness, sometimes dlsplayeo
by one and sometimes by both OF the
parties involved" the executive COM
nittee declares IN Its report that ~
has considered the traffic regulations
here with respect to their effect upon
the safety of the people and with re-
snect also to their effect upon the busl-
ness interests of the community as re-
Elected by the volume OF tourist
travel to Washington this year In COM
parison with previous years.
with relation to the safety sloe OF
the question:" the report sets fortn'
1.-The executive. committee OF tne WASH
ington Chamber Of Commerce mas
that Washington, under its present
traffic regulations, occupies an extraor-
binary high position in respect OF low
traffic fatalities, Notwithstanding the
unusually high percentage OF automo-
biles, both local and foreign, which
daily use our streets"
Low Fatality Percentage.
The report declares that Washing
tons automobile fatality percentage was
lower In 1928 than that of any one OF
10 cities of having a population OF
$4,000 or more. The report recalls
that under present trafflc regula-
month of December, 1928, without a
single automobile fatality, and 1t calls
attention to the fact that such fatalities
here were reduced from 81 in 1928
when there was q population OF 49,
600 and a total of TALL cars regis
tered here, to 80 In 1928 when the
population had reached $4,000 and the
auto registration had totaled $4,000.
The committee also points out that
of the 40 automobile fatalities which
have occurred in washington so far
this year, only two were at traffic con-
trolled intersections, one at light
controlled crossing and the other at an
intersection guarded by trafhc of1cer
Eight of the remaining fatalities occur
red at uncontrolled intersections, the re-
port adds.
The report concludes with the resolve
shat the traffic department should re-
ceive and hereby is given our COM
mendation for the wisdom 1t has dis
played in the framing Of the present
regulations and we particularly COM
mend it for the consideration 1t has
given to the safety of pedestrians, as
we'll as for the consideration 1t has
given in its said regulations to the
law-respecting automobile operator in
the protection 1t affords him and his
passengers from careless or reckless
drivers who disobey the regulations. and
we hereby also commend the Traffic
Bureau and the Police Department for
the zeal displayed and the efficiency
with which they have enforced the said
regulations in view of the limited force
at their disposal in traffic matters."-