Evening star., 1933-05-26
NEW TRAFFIC CODE
IS APPROVED BY
DISTRICT HEADS
Regulation Follows Outline of
Model Adopted by States
Throughout Country.
CHANGES ARE DESIGNED
TO PROTECT PEDESTRIANS
Right of Way in Making Left
Turn and at intersections
Clearly Defined.

A simplified new traffic code for
washington. generally following the
outline of a model code adopted by
States throughout the country. was ap-
proved today by the District Commls-
sioners
The new code is the result of work
extending over more than year by
District officials and the Traffic Ad-
yisory Council in a move to modernlze
Washington's present complicated sys-
TEN of traffic regulations, which was
started after the model code was pro-
posed by the National Conference on
Street and Highway Safety, which was
perfected in 1880.
Adoption of the new code came
quickly after agreement had been
reached between several District offl-
cials over questions of phraseology and
Jurisdiction in numerous sections OF
the code. Final action on the draft
had been delayed for two months due
to these controversies.
New Code Is Compromise.
The new code is compromise in
that it contains a clause safeguard
ing the Jurisdiction of the Public Util-
tiles Commission over utility transpor-
tation, to which there had been OBJ
lection from members of the Trafnc
Advisory Council, which drafted the
code in cooperation with William A;
Van Duzer, director of vehicles and
traffic.
While the new code primarily is de-
signed to simplify and better organize
present regulations and to bring them
into line with the model code there
are number of changes to provide
better protection for pedestrians at
intersections.
One new section provides that no
driver of any vehicle approaching from
the rear of any other vehicle. which
has stopped at cross-walk to allow
o pedestrian to cross the road, Snall
fehicle. Enforcement of this new regu-
fation. 1t is believed, will reduce the
humber of accidents at intersections.
Yield 10 Pedestrians.
The new code also provides that at
intersections where traffic is controlled
by signals or police officers, drivers OF
automobiles shall yield right OF way 10
pedestrians crossing or starting to cross
the street on a "go" signal.
There is also a new rule as to rlgnt
of way between cars at intersections.
This reads:
1.-THE driver OF Venlcle WllHn du
intersection intending to turn to the
left shall yield to any vehicle approach
ing from the opposite direction wnicn
is within the intersection or so close
thereto as to constitute an immediate
hazard. that said driver having SO
Welded and having given signal, wnen
and as required by law, may make sucn
left turn and other vehicles approach
ing the intersection from the opposite
direction shall yield to the driver max
ing the left turn"
1t also is provided that where an au-
tomobile is halted in obedience TO
"stop" sign and has yielded the rlght
of way to other cars close enough TO the
intersection to constitute hazard, may
then have the right of way to the m
tersection without giving way to other
vehicles approaching the ntersectloh.
Regulations Not Repealed.
The Saving clause" included in the
code at the request of the Utilities
Commission, states that nothing IN the
code shall be construed as repeating
and nulling, or in any way superseolng'
outstanding regulations or orders OF the
Public Utilities Commission or the JOINT
board relating to common carriers.
The code also provides for mucn
more stringent action against motorists,
Who, in applying for a drivers permit,
fail to give their correct name and ao-
dress. Mr.. Van Duzer believes TINS sec
ton is so worded that the DISTRICT
could bring a forgery charge against
person willfully giving the wrong name