New Britain herald., 1930-12-13
Rule Adopted at Confer ence Calls for Reason able and Proper Speed to Enable Prevention of Collisions - Like Conn. Statute.

AioS 1uLpiilottiIc iC dtlh'l "lNhi safety? This question has long been recognized as one of the most diff cult problems in highway regula- ton.
 In the hope that this situation may be clarified the National Con- ference on Street and Highway Safety at Washington has promul- gated a new basis for speed regu- lation. The new rule was formu- lated after careful consideration of the methods which have been used in the several states. These may be summarized as follows:
 So-called fixed speed limits were the earliest used in highway regu- lation and are still retained in seV- oral states. though they are gener- ally considered obsolete. This meth cd provides that speed in excess of the limits set is conclusive ground for conviction. The chief fault with this method lies in the fact that the application of the rule results in arbitrary and infleAible enforce ment
 Driving conditions are so varied that it is quite impossible to set fixed rates of speed which can be equitably and safely applied. For the more favorable conditions they are Of necessity too low, and for the less favorable conditions they are in- variably too high.
 No single factor in highway regu- lation has resulted in so much bad feeling between the driving public and the agencies of enforcement than has this type Of speed control.
 Prima FaCic Clause Added
 Realizing the nequity of fixed limits many states have attempted to soften the arbitrary results by adding the so-callcd prima facie clause. The speed limits are retain cd but provision is made that an operator who is apprehended for exceeding the limit is not concln- s,Nely guilty. but only prima faCie guilty, and that he may introduce evidence showing that under the conditions he was not driving in fact in 8 dangerous manner. In this form the rule is most generally used at the present time.
 Theoretically 1t remedies many of the defects Of the fixed limit regu- lation, but in actual practice there is little difference, for the courts are customarily unwilling to look favorably upon such refutatory evil dcnce even though the operator has time or desire to contest the case.
 No Limit fin Conn.
 A number of, states have tried both the fixed limit and the prina facie rule with poor success decided to abolish speed limits entirely and base their control on the require ment that operators should at all times drive at a reasonable and proper speed Among these states are Connecticut, Michigan, Indiana, and Kansas.
 It is generally known among com- retent observers that speed limits have negligible effect upon the speed at which vehicles are oper- ated. Drivers operate 1t that speed which appears to them 10 be safe and desirable under the circuin- stances. Periodical "drives' by mo- torCycle officers may temporarily affect this situation but not for long.
 Recently the Albert Russell T.rskir. bureau of Harvard univer- sity conducted investigations in sev- eral states having fixed limits, prima facie limits, and no limits. Under comparable traffic conditions the average highway speeds were approximately the same in all states.
 Alter reviewing current practice the NatiCna Conference on Street and Highway Safety determined that ID one Of the present rules vas satisfactory and that modern highway conditions demanded q new policy Fixed and prima tacie rules were discarded because of their ln- accurate and infleXible quality. The abolition Of all speed limits was not approved for it was felt that the practice left no guide for opcr- ators or for enforcing officers, In the new rule, therefore. there was an attempt to combine the good qualities of present practice and eliminate the evil.
 New 1WofOld Rule
 The rule IS promulgated by the conference is in two parts. Part one. which is called the basic rule, pro- hibits (a) driving vehicle 'at speed which is greater than is req sonable and proper" or fb) which is greater than will permit the oD orator Ito decrease speed or stop as may be necessary 10 avoid coliding with any person, vehicle, or con- yeyancc.'
 Thus an operator is subject to conviction even though driving at a speed of five or ten miles an hour if under the conditions such action is in fact unreasonable or improper or results in collision. A conviction for violation of the provisions of the basic rule carries the normal pen alties p ovided for general reGnla- tons. Technically, the basic rules accurately followed and enforced would be entirely adequate for the control of speed.
 AS a practical guide for such obedience and enforcement seco part of the rule is set forth under the title application of indicated speeds This part indicates speeds of 15 miles per hour near schools and under similar conditions, 2h miles per hour in business districts and other special locations. 2j miles per hour in residence districts and other specified locations. and 45 miles per hour in the open country.
 Not Speed Limits
 These are not speed limits An