Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-22

third National Conference on Street
I'd Highway Safety emphasized that
- basic characteristics and features
are the same in all the States and
cities of the Union.
Because of this fact the conference
laid stress on the growing need for
uniformity Of State vehicle laws and
municipal traffic ordinances. in driving
practices and rules Of the road, and in
the Standardization of road signs, sig
| mails and markings.
a, This phase of the traffic problem, it
was indicated. is becoming more pro-
! nounced because Of the increasing num-
Der of automobiles that are being driven
in States other than that of the regis
tration of the vehicle. and In different
towns and cities-often across State
lines.
Long Trips Common.
Residents Of many towns and cities
such as Kansas City, st. Louis, Louis
| vile, Cincinnati, Chattanooga, Wheel
| ing Washington, Philadelphia and New
York, find it necessary to be familiar
with the trafflc laws os two or more
| nearby States. Provisions of these laws
are not infrequently in conflict with
I each other, or differ in a material
| degree.
Motor buses are in many cases
making scheduled Journeys that are
equal to half the distance across the
continent. and freight-carrying vehicles
are also making long trips. The high
ways have become important adjuncts
In the distribution of merchandise over
considerable areas of territory. Auto
mobile trips from the Atlantic Seaboard
TO the Pacific Coast, and back again,
are becoming more and more frequent.
In the course of year the resident
Of the average city has the oppor-
tunity to become familiar with the
color and appearance of the current
automobile tags of nearly every State.
Southern tourists go into the North
in the Summer months and Northern
tourists 60 into the South in the Win
ter months. More and more vehicular
trafic is assuming an interstate and
intercity aspect.
Diversity Is Decried.
While granting and emphasizing that
control of vehicular trafiic must re-
main with the States and municipali-
ties, the conference declared unequivo-
cally that the elimination of the exist
ing diversity in the administration,
regulation and statutory control OF the
streets and highways and the promo
ton of standard driving practices is a
pressing phase Of the problem and
vitality involved in the effort to reduce
accidents and nishaps.
Before vehicular trafic assumed so
much of the interstate and intercity as
pect and improved roads made prac.
ticable long journeys in automobiles,
the various Jurisdictions having control
Of the streets and highways developed
diversity and difference in common
practices and rules that gave 70
laws, ordinances or regulations.
The motorist, in driving from one
State TO another and passing through
different towns and cities, would If he
followed the regulations and driving
practices of his own community, Vo-
late innumerable local ordinances and
regulations and possibly incur accidents
through unfamiliarity with the trafnc
control of q strange town. This is par
ticularly true in respect to right and
left turns and in the protection OF Pc
deStrians at intersections.
In the effort to eliminate this con-
fusion and to promote a smooth flow
of traffic through intelligent driving
agencies working in conjunction with
the National Conference on Street and
Highway Safety will continue this year
to urge upon the States and cities the
adoption of the uniform vehicle code
and model municipal traffic ordinance
which it is sponsoring and prepared
through the combined advice and coun-
sci of the traf1ic experts of the country.
Through this means the conference
hopes that definite changes for the bet
ter in the accident and fatality condi-
ton In connection with vehicular traf-
flc will be brought about.
Cooperation Is Required.
The objective, instead of involving a
concentration OF authority in the Fed
eral Government, requires q high de-
gree of cooperation and acceptance Of
a common program by the States and
local authorities and by the vehicle
drivers and pedestrians.
The conference, in giving voice 10
this program. said:
1T is unthinkable that our people
will permit present conditions TO con-
tinue indefinitely. The way for i'm
provement has been pioneered. Prac-
tically every one Of the proposals now
submitted has been tested in practice.
To reap the benefit of this expert
ence on q Nation-w scale will re-
quire some yielding of State and local
preferences. 1t will require devotion Of
increased resources which no State or
community can afford TO withhold.
ut will, in many jurisdictions, re-
Quire the setting up of more adequate
administration. 1t win require the loyal
effort Of enforcing authorities. 1t calls
for devoted efforts of a wide variety Of
organizations concerned with the vari-
Gus phases of the problem.
Finally, 1t demands OF the individual
citizen new order Of Self-restraint and
sense OF responsibility corresponding to
the enhanced degree Of freedom which
the new means Of transportation has
given us"
More than half the States and large
number of towns and cities have already
adopted either all or some of the pro-
visions of the Uniform Vehicle Code
and Model Municipal Traffic Ordinance.
The universal desire expressed by dele
gates and members of the conference
has been that uniformity in these mat
ters be extended over the country as
whole.
Statistics Are Required.
Collection Of complete statistics and
other basic information on street and
highway accidents, deaths and injuries
| by the different States Is Of prime i'm
portance in devising effective remedies
and proper safeguards, in view OF the
| conference.
| The information, it was indicated
should be gathered by q State bureau
or department with competent author
| ity, and the statistics should be assem-
bled and made available on a basis
that will render them comparable with
! those of other States.
This data Is particularly useful, II
was pointed out. in identifying danger
points on streets or highways and in
| sscertaining hazardous driving habits
which should be corrected through con-
troll and regulation Of vehicular traffic
and in the education OF highway users
and practices.
In proposing this action to the States
| the conference pointed out, through
its committee reports. that in 1929 one
in every three accidental deaths from
. A..n dire