Evening star., 1934-05-20

known as the uniform act regul
be made in the light of recent
traffic conditions and imprOvemel
Revision of the speed restrictions in
vehicle operation. is among the most
important of the changes contem-
plated in the new act. Under changed
traffic conditions it is found that the
treatment of speed restrictions in the
1880 revision of the uniform vehicle
code is difficult of application under
all circumstances, and the contem-
plated changes are intended to retain
the basic principles of speed regula-
ton and at the same time bring them
into a simpler and more generally
understandable form.
Basic Rule Retained.
The basic rule that the operator of
every motor vehicle must drive at
speed that is safe under existing traffic
conditions on the road is retained.
Prima facie speed limits, which define
speeds that are held to be safe under
normal traffic conditions at given
points and on given stretches of road,
are made more liberal than those
found in the present uniform act when
relating to the movement of vehicles
in business and residence districts.
An important new feature is the
provision that on the basis of engi-
neering study of particular curves,
stretches of narrow road and other
hazardous points, the proper traffic
authorities are to erect signs which
establish lower prima facie speed
limits consistent with the safe opera
ton of vehicles at such points.
Municipalities, on the other hand,
are permitted to r1st higher prima
facie limits on through highways
where traffic and other general con-
ditionS warrant them.
In addition to speed, the revised
Act V covers the rules of the road
that deal with obedience to and the
effect of traffic laws. the meaning of
traffic signals and the public author
ity to erect signs and signals. Among
such provisions contained in the act
are:
Obligations of vehicle operators and
of the police in the event of accidents,
including the requirement that opera
tors make known their identity at the
scene of an accident.
Definitions and penalties for negli-
gent homicide. driving vehicles while
intoxicated and of reckless operation
of vehicles.
Restrictions on overtaking and pass
ing other vehicles, on the turning and
starting of vehicles, including the re-
quired hand or othe' signals for the
direction and warning of other vehi-
Gle operators or pedestrians. as well
as the rule governing right of way.
Pedestrians Duties.
Rights and duties Of pedestrians at
cross walks and elsewhere, and like
wise the obligation of vehicle opera
tors with respect to street cars and to
the safety of passengers in entering or
leaving them.
Required special stops, as at street
or road intersections, or entering upon
hazardous grade crossings, together
with rules governing other stops and
standing or parking of vehicles, and
additional miscellaneous rules that
contribute to safety and prevention of
accidents.
Mechanical equipment provisions OF
the act deal with the proper design
and adjustment of headlights and
other lighting equipment, and the
condition of brakes, horns, muffiers,
mirrors, windshields and tires. The
act also prescribes maximum dimen-
Sions of vehicles.
The act as revised permits operators
of vehicles with modern lighting
equipment to illuminate the highways
well ahead except where other vehicles
are approaching from the opposite
direction or the extended light beams
will interfere with the safe movement
of other traffic. The regulations re-
cogniZe, however, that large part
of the headlight equipment on We
hicles now in use is mechanically in
capable of meeting the new illumina-
ton standards, and restricts the night
operation of vehicles with such equip
ment to the extent of prohibiting
speeds that are unsafe for the volume
of road illumination that such lights
can give.
Inspections Sought.
This act contains new sections cov-
ering the periodical inspection OF
motor vehicles, similar to those which
are in effect in a number of States.
Among the other new provisions Is
the requirement that motor trucks
moving on the highways shall carry
flares to be lighted to warn other
vehicle operators if the truck becomes
disabled on the road at night, and
the further requirement that trallers
attached to trucks shall be equipped
with adequate automatic brakes. Ad-
ditional safeguards are provided for
vehicles engaged in carrying explosives
or serving as school buSSeS.
A controversial subject to which
the committee of the conference en-
gagged in revising the uniform vehicle
code is to give further consideration
before the sessions on May % to %
is that of permissible weights and
loads of vehicles. These conditions
have not before been specified in the
code. In the revised act, however. is
laid down the committees recommen-
dations on permissible wheel and axle
loads, while the committee is to give
further consideration to scale OF
limits of gross weights with loads.
Another proposal is that every State
shall issue license to the individual
car operator before he or she is per-
mitted to drive on the streets and
public roads.
The conference will concentrate in a
larger measure than at any time be-
fore to fix and establish the definite
responsibility of the individual vehicle
operator and to protect other users OF
the highways from the hazards OF
careless, Indifferent or reckless opera
ton of a motor vehicle.
With traffic conditions becoming
more complex, and many of the States
increasing the speeds at which ve-
hicles may be lawfully operated, 1t is
recognized that larger measure OF
responsibility should be placed upon
each vehicle operator in the interest
of safety of all vehicles and to dis
courage to the greatest possible extent
the occurrence of accidents and traffic
mishaps. The aim of the conference