Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-24
HARLAND APPROVES
LEFT TURN CHANGE
70 Definite Action Is Taken,
However, to Modify
Present Rules.

Persistent and vigorous assaults on
Washingtons unique left turn traffic
rule at controlled intersections led Traf-
| flc Director William H. Harland to an
nounce today that he would approve a
modification II it is desired by the ma
| jority of District motorists.
Mr.. Harland explained however, that
his personal opinion as to the advan-
| tages of the peculiar Washington turn
over the uniform method prescribed in
/ the standard code of the National Con-
| ference on Street and Highway Safety
had not changed, but that he is willing
| to scquiesce to the demands of the
public.
The modifcat ton Mr.. Harland has in
mind is substantially a compromise be-
tween Washington's former left-turn
! rule and the present method. Instead
of a sweeping turn at the intersection
with the vehicles stopping close to the
right curb as possible before proceeding
on a go signal as prescribed in the ex-
| isting regulations, the plan under con-
sideration by the trafic director is to
| have the vehicles stop in the center of
the intersection, as was done under the
former rule, and then complete the
turn on go signal.
Single Operation.
Under the uniform highway safety
code, the left turn is made in one op-
Grafton. vehicles proceeding against a
stop signal upon completion of the
turn. 1t is this feature of the uniform
code turn which Mr.. Harland opposes.
He believes that it cau5es too much con-
fusion at an intersection and requires
the driver making a turn to watch not
only the vehicles proceeding properly
on go signal, but the pedestrians who
also would be crossing with trafic.
The left turn rule of the uniform
safety code reads: THE operator of a
vehicle intending to turn to the left
at an intersection or into a driveway,
shall approach the point of turning in
the lane for traffic to the right Of and
next to the center of the roadway, and,
unless otherwise directed by turning
markers the operator of a vehicle in
turning left at an intersection shall
pass to the right of the center Of the
intersection before turning. Upon streets
laned for traf1c and upon one-way
streets. a left turn shall be made from
the left lane of traffic"
Combines Two Rules.
Thus, the change Mr.. Harland in
dicated he would agree to, combines
the center turning feature of the
uniform safety code, but vehicles would
not be permitted to complete the turn
until receiving signal to proceed.
The uniform code he said calls for
completion of the turn into a cross
street with a red light showing in that
direction. and red light should al
ways mean stop"
While willing to agree to a modifi-
cation Of the existing left turn rule.
Mr.. Harland said he would take no
action with a view to having the change
made until September or later in the
year. BY that time, he pointed out, he
| will be more fully informed as to the
| wishes of motorists and the views of
motor vehicle commissioners of various
States, some of whom, he said he ''un-
derstood" were not fully in accord with
| the left turn rule prescribed in the
uniform safety code.
The traflc director said he had been
informed that the motor vehicle COM
miSsioners planned to hold their an
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