Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07
MODEL CODE FINDS
DEAF EAR IN D. c.
Traffic Regulations in Use
Throughout Nation Urged
, for Adoption Here.
BY CLAYTON GRAFT.

.
and persistent demand for an early
solution of traffic ills to minimize the
dangers that now lurk at every turn.
For the last seven years the fatality
list has grown on an average OF 2,OUO
per year From figures now available,
all of the States not having made com
plete returns, it appears that 24,95U
persons we're killed in 1928 by motor
vehicles. The figures for those seriously
injured. based on Nation wide data OF
about IS non-fatal injuries for each
fatality. would indicate an approximate
total of S75. 900 last year. There were
countless thousands slightly injured OF
which there has been no report. Neither
can be ignored the tremendous Dill lot
repairs and property damage, which
has reached close to 81 ,000, 0o0, 600 an
nually. Then there is another $4,000
OO0. 900 lost due to congestion and delay
resulting fro minadequate facilities and
improper use of those available.
Hoover Gave Move Impetus.
Five years ago Herbert Hoover then
Secretary of Commerce, was one OF the
prime movers in organizing National
Conference on Street and Highway
Safety, to formulate proposals to bring
to an end this ever mounting toll OF
accidents and property damage. he
brought together executives, engineers,
officials and others to deal with modern
traffic problems. After two years OF
intensive study and consulting with
nearly 1000 traffic officials accustomed
to dealing with traffic problems ana
battling for safety measures, uniform
act regulating the operation OF venicies
on highways was developed, which Is
generally approved and Endorsed in
every point of consequence. 1t Is a
model that should be applicable and
acceptable to every State and city In
the Union.
In response to requests for an ordi-
nance especially adaptable to the neeos
of large cities, a second conference was
called in 1926 and two years later tne
model municipal traffic ordinance was
presented with Recommendation 1ot
adoption by all municipalities.
These codes and ordinances, often
called the Hoover code, have been pre-
pared in perfect harmony, so that users
Of the highways can depend upon uni
fornity of rules, whether In city OF
country.
The object behind every act Of these
conferences was to combat the causes
of accidents and make provisions that
would result in greater safety for human
beings The problems of trafflc con-
cestion, confusion and delay were sec
ondarv, but If the code is faithfully
observed it will be found to correct such
evils and loosen the wheels OF tramc
and speed them up.
Henry A. Reninger. president Of the
National Safety Council, says; The
model municipal traffic ordinance, IN
combination with the uniform venice
code. is the best means OF building an
enduring traffic morale. Trafic morale
depends upon partnership or sports
r1anship, on a give-and-take policy and
on mutual confidence. When generally
adopted it will develop confidence and
courtesy on the highways. 1t Will MINI
rnize confusion, and, most OF all, 1t Will
influence safety.
1T will open up a new field foI
worth while lasting partnerships. When
drivers can depend on uniform trafnC
rules. the traffic lesson is quickly, easily
and permanently learned. The driver
becomes sure of himself and also de-
yelops a sense of security as to the
procedure to be followed by the Other
fellow. whether he be driver or pedes-
TRAN It will develop these partner
ships between drivers and pedestrians
and through the mechanical safety re-
quirements Of the ordinance, Will result
in better working agreement, at least
between the driver and his own car
And when the driver can proceed along
the highways without mechanical
worries, he is just that much better
qualified to give serious consideration
to other traffic problems, which con-
stantly arise"
Follows Three Lines.
The model ordinance combats acct
dents along three tactical lines: First
provision for mechanical safety; second
the establishment of common rules for
using the streets, and third, the out
having of selfish and foolhardy prac-
tices.
First-The ordinance provides that
passengers or freight shall not inter-
fere with the operators view or con-
troll movements. Also, it includes pro-
visions for additional sections IL made
necessary through inadequate codes,
for such mechanical safeguards as
proper brakes, horns, lights, mirrors,
windshield visibility, trailer attach
ments, etc. These points are usually
covered in State codes, but the model
ordinance opens way for such neceS-
sary protection where State laws fail.
Second-Establishin rules for driv-
ing. The Importance Of such rules Is
quite evident from the fact that there
are too few streets and too many autos
to let every driver do as he pleases.
Hence the model ordinance reiterates
honored traffic injunctions as Drive to
the right "overtake to the left,
yield right of way to vehicles ap-
preaching from the right" etc. Doubt
full points regarding the right of way
under certain special conditions are
cleared up Also the driver Is enjoined
to make a right turn from the right
hand traffic lane; to turn left from the
lane to the right of center; to make U
turns only when possible without back
ing or interfering with traffic; to keer
lights on parked vehicles; to signal be-
fore stopping, starting or turning.
Stop and go signs are adequately de.
fined. Red always mean stop. Vel
low or amber means stop II possible tt
do so before entering the intersec-
ton. Green means go, If it can bt
done with safety. One signal means
one thing-and one thing only.
Signals Must Be Uniform.
Signals are absolutely worthless un.
less they mean exactly the same thint
to all who use them. Obviously uni.
forrnity is of utmost Importance. Every
city that adopts the model ordinance l.
contributing materially to its owr
safety and equally to that of ever!
pedestrian and motorist of its own o.
other cities.
Pedestrians rights are clearly de-
fined also and in a way that opens III
this traffic partnership which has al
ready been mentioned. The pedestrian
is given full right of way at the prope
places and at the proper time. In re
turn he is expected to yield the RICH
of way at other times and in othe
places. With this mutual understand
ing each knows his own procedure ant
also the procedure the other membe
Of the partnership is expected to follow
Third. Fortunately most people be
have with common sense and decenc