Evening star., 1935-11-27
|[LEG|BLE SIGN
REMOVAL URGED
Attorney Blames Many
Traffic Accidents on Signs
Along Streets.

Elimination of illegible street deSig-
nation signs in Washington as an aid
to traffic safety is urged by Philip
Wagshal, local attorney, in letter
10 The Evening Star Safety Council.
Expressing the opinion that illegible
signs, especially at night, contribute
to the accident toll in Washington,
Mr.. Wagshal urged that the District
''remove and discard the present use
less, inefficient and antiquated street
signs and replace them with legible
and illuminated street signs and other
direction signs in conspicuous places
at street intersections"
Many accidents are due to the
drivers attention not being on the
road. to the sudden and unexpected
stopping of automobiles and to cars
making sudden turns which are un-
expected by the driver of following
cars. Accidents of all three types are
encouraged by the present street sign
system, particularly at night, Mr..
Wagshal pointed out.
Drivers Must Strain Eyes.
'If there is any doubt in any read
er's mind of the impossiblity of read
ing a street sign while driving an
automobile, however slow, referring of
course to the numerous gold lettered
metal signs which are placed on the
lamp post beneath the arc lamp" Mr.
Wagshal Said, IT invite him to try it.
He will find that with but rare ex-
ception, it will be necessary for him
to stop his car, get out, and walk up
to the lamp post, and by straining his
eyes. he may then possibly be able
to discern the contents of the sign.
"It is well known that motorists
are reluctant to stop their automobiles,
except when it is necessary, and he
therefore will attempt to read the sign
while his automobile is in motion,
thereby making perfect set up for
an accident either in striking another
vehicle or a pedestrian or some sta
tionary object, which may result in
the demolition of the drivers car and
personal injuries to the occupants.
IF the motorist, by reason of his
Inability to read the sign before COM
ing to the intersection, should pass the
street, and by a flicker of some light
he should, as he usually does, note
through the corner of his eye that
the street he is passing is the one
he wanted to turn into, there is a
tendency to apply the brakes suddenly
and make an unexpected turn or to
back up, so as to avoid necessity Of
going around the entire block. This
also creates perfect set-up for acci-
dents, resulting in property damage
and personal injuries to the automo-
bile in question and the automobiles
following behind it, or any automo-
biles coming from the street about
to be passed by the guessing motorist.
1T is my opinion that no argu-
ment, whether based on economy or
on any other ground, can and should
overcome the need of construction and
replacement of street signs with rea-
eonably large. appropriately colored
(Which may be black and white, il
Illuminated street street signs, In the
most conspicuous spots possible in
each and every intersection through
out the entire city.
IT am forwarding a copy of this
letter to the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia and the director
of traffic, with the hope that we will
emerge from the present archaic con-
dition into a modern and enlightened
manner Of being able to see where
we are going while We drive"
Letter One of Hundreds.
The letter from Mr. Wagshal is one
of hundreds received by The Star
Council from civic minded individuals
who are eager to promote the cause
of street and highway safety. Many
of the writers of these letters, like Mr..
Wagshal, contribute worthwhile and
helpful suggestions.
Brief excerpts from some of the
other letters follow:
I'VE are delighted to take part in
such a worthy movement and hope
that we can be Of some help in making
this Is a safer city to live in"
HOWARD WYATT,
Corresponding secretary, National
Round Table Guild.