Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11
NEED OF UNIFORM TRAFFIC
SIGNS AND SIGNALS STRESSED
Motorist of Today Confronted With Null
titude of Rules and Regulations
Requiring Standardizing

The fundamental purpose underlying
this manual Is the same as that upon
which the uniform vehicle code and
model municipal traffic ordinance Of the
national conference is based-that Of
uniformity, and thus greater familiarity
and increased observance, which un-
questionably means fewer accidents and
greater safety.
The national conference aims TO pro-
mote uniformity not only in the traflc
laws of the States and the trafhc rules
and regulations of the towns and cities,
but in signs, signals and markers as
well. Thus the motorist on strange
road or in strange place viii not be in
doubt as to the meaning Of sign or
what he should do when he sees It,
The survey of the American Engineer
ing Council developed many interesting
facts in the traffic situation, especially
in relation to accident prevention. The
automatic traflc light is found in almost
every community, but subject to the
greatest variety of interpretations. The
n1otortst Is not certain when away from
home what Interpretation he should put
upon these lights, especially In making
turns. The variety OF types, colors and
meanings of these lights are conflicting
and often confusing even to an expert.
Each city has developed independently
set of signs and signals to meet its
Own particular requirements, adding O
new sign for each new condition that
has arisen. and without any thought, in
the majority Of cases. as to the Signtfi-
canoe Of size, shape or color. From q
traffic standpoint this is resulting in an
noyance, confusion and accidents, and
greatly increased hazards in travel.
Signs, signals and markers to be eff
fective must meet every condition ade-
quately and exactly. This means in the
first instance that each sign stands for
the same thing wherever it Is found.
Signs should be simply worded, of stand
ard shape, color and lettering, and with
standard location. Likewise. every unof1-
cial sign or marker that conflicts with
them, or duplicates them, or has the
tendency to confuse the vehicle driver
should be removed.
A vast number Of the signs, signals
and markers In use today are not uni
form, and by reason Of ambiguous de-
sign or unintelligent wording, do not
serve the purpose for which they are
intended.
Quite frequently a motorist In CROSS
ing from one State to another Is con-
fronted with an entirely new system
of signs and markers, and finds that
he must go through the task Of learning
their meanings and interpretations be-
fore he can drive intelligently and with
safety to himself and to others.
The manual of uniform signs, signals
and markers has been widely distributed
since it was issued through the ma
tional conference. About so cities and
large number Of towns have adopted
it in full or in its essential features.
New Jersey and Massachusetts, have
State laws that are based almost en-
tirely on the recommendations of the
manual, and Wisconsin, Pennsylvania,
Connecticut, New York and California
have enacted new trafhc laws which
contain many Of its important provi-
SionS.
Progress is being made in the direc-
ton of uniformity in this respect With
the majority Of the States already alive
to the need for uniformity in signs,
and cities and towns adopting the sys-
tenn, the time Is approaching when tn
motorist can 60 from one locality tt
another and from one State to another.
and perhaps from one country to an
other, with the knowledge that the sign a
similar and uniform.
Uniformity Urgent.
AS the rates of speed in travel In
crease and some States remove all
speed limits and require only that
drivers LIaVe1 SaISly anu reasonably,
the necessity for uniformity in signs
and markers is as urgent as it Is in
other phases of traffic regulation, SUI
pervision and safety.
The public authorities of the States
and municipalities have q direct re-
sponsibility In this matter. Inadequate
and improper signs and markers can
not be charged to the carelesSness or
indifference Of motorists. The matter
rests with the officials whose public
duty is to remove as far as rests in
their power the factors and elements
that contribute hazards and dangers to
the streets and roads and increase the
possibility Of accidents.