Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-18
- VERY day the need of uni
II formity in traffic conditions
in the National Capital IS


- formitv in traffic conditions
in the National Capital is
stressed more and more
This lack of uniform reguiatlonSS
is found not only in the methoo OF
making left turns, but IN the n
terpretation of existing oroi-
nances by members Of the Ponce
p, Department and officials OF the
Traffic Office. Lack OF proper CO.
operation, judgment and under
standing causes many variances
Improper wording of trafflc signs
causes bewilderment among wash
ington motorists as we'll as drivers
from distant States.
There is a traffic signal at Wiz
conSin avenue and NJ street III
GEORGETOWN. To this traffic light
is appended a sign stating that a
left turn be made on the green
light. 1t is one of the few in
stances where the Hoover munich
pal code is in operation at an
intersection in the District of
Columbia controlled by traffic
lights.
Hoover Turn Enjoyed.
Many motorists take this route
daily in going from their homes
, to their offices. They have en-
loved the Hoover turn at this in
tersection since the installation of
the signal months ago.
Last week one of these motor
lists was visiting some friends in
Virginia. Returning by way OF the
- Key Bridge, he elected for the first
time to make a left turn on Wis
consin avenue going north. More
than a hundred times he had
made the left turn going south on
Wisconsin avenue. This particu-
lar day he waited for the green
light, put out his hand and made
the turn left from the middle of
the intersection.
He had gone several blocks when
stopped by a motor cycle police
man, who, in indignant tones,
asked him why he had made a
turn against the light. The po-
liceman was told that the motoriSt
was of the belief that that was the
way to turn at that intersection,
and that a sign to that effect was
on the light post. The policeman
stated that that turn was permits
Sible only for Southbound traffic
on Wisconsin avenue wishing to
turn east. The motoriSt stated
that the sign did not say "for
south and eastbound traffic only"
and his conclusion was only q
natural one.
Instead the policeman asked for
the motorists permit. pocketed 1t
and ordered the driver to drive to
the seventh precinct. Although
the motoriSt was a lifelong resi-
dent of the District of Columbia,
and had only one over time park
ing conviction against him in IS
years Of driving. he was not given
the privilege OF being given a
ticket
Just why a warning would not
have been sufficient in case of
this kind is difficult to explain.
The majority of policemen would
have deemed it sufficient. Again
the lack of uniformity and judg-
ment looms up.
Story Does Not End.
But the story does not end here.
The policeman drove off on his
motor cycle with the motorist S
permit enSconced in the officers
pocket. Mindful of the police
mans lack of judgment and mind
full of the regulation which pro-
hibits driving machine without
permit, the motorist stayed
put" and awaited the police
mans return. It was not long.
With great buster he demanded
to know why the motorist had re-
fused to drive to the seventh pre-
cinct. Being told, the officer stat
ed that it was not necessary to
have permit IL the policeman
ahead had it. Asked as to whether
there was anything in the traff1c
regulations to that effect, the
policeman said it did not matter,
and insisted that the motorist vio-
late the regulation which provides
that an operator4shall not operate
a car without permit in his pos
session.
Speed Charge Added.
The result was that the motor
AoO '" AAhC0 oAOuAl0 w "a
where he was obliged to put up
collateral for making a wrong
turn on the light, and, to his sur
prise, collateral for speeding. The
second charge was preferred evil
IDENTIFY because the policeman had
been vexed by what he called
"StubbornneSs" of the motorist.
Later the director of traffic and
his assistant informed the motor
list that his conclusion reached by
him in making the turn he did
was a plausible one, and that his
refusal to drive his automobile
without permit was justified, and
that II he had he could have been
charged for an additional viola
ton. He was also told that a
warning would have been all that
was necessary for his mistake
about the turn on the light.
Again lack of uniformity looms
up. Lack of coordination with
the enforcement of regulations.
Lack Of judgment.
Returns to Precinct.
The story still drifts on. The
motoriSt goes back to the seventh
precinct, tells his story to the
heads of that police station house