Evening star., 1938-04-05
THOUSANDS lose
PARKING SPACE BY
NEW REGULATIONS
Ban Is Placed for 100 Feet
From intersections
With Lights.
20-FT. LIMIT SET BACK
OF BUILDING LINES
Regulations, in Effect in 10 Days,
Made Because of the Many
Accidents at Crossings.
BY DON s. WARREN,

ny DON D. "AhnEN,
Drastic new parking limitations that
will eliminate curb space for thousands
OF cars near street intersections were
invoked today by the Commissioners,
on recommendation of Traffic Director
William A. Van Duzer.
Mr.. Van Duzer asked that the widest
possible publicity be given to the
amendments to the traffic regulations
because of their drastic" nature, in
order that the public may become
aware OF the changes, which will 20
into effect 10 days after legal notice
is given.
BY one change parking Of private
cars within 100 feet back of the in
tersecting curb lines on the approach
or entering side of intersections which
are controlled by traffic lights will be
prohibited. The general rule now pro-
hibits such parking In the space Is
feet back Of the curb line.
Building Line Rule.
BY second amendment of rules the
Commissioners prohibited parking
closer than point 20 feet back Of the
building line. at intersections, but
added restricting clause that in no
case shall the no-parking zone extend
more than so feet back of the point of
intersection Of the curb lines. This
clause was written in because in some
places the building line is set far back
from the point Of intersection Of the
curb line.
The average city block downtown is
about 400 feet. The new regulations
could reduce the available parking
space to $50 feet. From this, in many
cases, is deducted an additional so
feet for loading and unloading trucks,
leaving 200 feet for parking, or space
for about 10 cars.
At the same time, the Commissioners
designated for the special use Of mem-
bers Of Congress and Government off,
cials parking space for two cars along
the curb adjoining the National The
ater.
In recommending this the trafic
ouecCOI SAID. 4QeSe spaces are
needed to accommodate members Of
Congress and Governmental officials
while visiting governmental establish
ments IN that area on oficial busi-
ness"
Argument for New Rule.
In support Of the new rule, prohib-
iting parking generally throughout the
District within an area 20 feet back
of the building line, Mr.. Van Duzer
said:
"Of the 12,7Oo accidents last year.
approximately go per cent occurred at
intersections. The direct cause Of
these accidents was too much speed
for conditions. The indirect cause
was visibility on account of parked
cars: cars parked so near the corners
as to obstruct the vision of approach.
ing trafflc until the cars had almost
entered the intersection. There is
no doubt that if parking were pro-
hibited nearer than a point 20 feet
back of the building line. intersection
collisions would be reduced materially"
In support of the 100-foot rule, ap.
piled to intersections controlled by
traffic lights, Mr.. Van Duzer said: In
order to handle traffic expeditiously at
intersections controlled by traffic
lights, it is necessary to have as many
lanes as possible in which cars may
stop when the light Is against them.
so that when the light changes the
largest possible volume will move
through the intersection. When cars
are permitted to park between white
lines and the curb on the approach
side Of intersections. the reserve capac.
ity is reduced by one lane"
The Commissioners also changed the
no-parking rule on the south side of
street between Thirteenth and Twen-
tieth streets NV, to permit parking
after 6 pm. The present rule bans
parking at any time. and Mr.. Van
Duzer said it had been found the
restriction after pm. was not neces-
sary.