Evening star., 1939-12-03
NEWS OF THE MOTORING WORLD
Heavy Opposition Proposed Unustfabe Change in Traffic
Department Setup Forees Plans Defeat

ton by reputable physician. This,
another safety activity, would go to
the department Of licenses.
The financial responsibility law
is another safety measure, which Is
now being administered by the De-
partment of Vehicles and Traffic,
which would be transferred to the
Department Of Licenses. The OBJ
ject of this law Is the elimination
of operators who are convicted Of
driving while Intoxicated, leaving
the scene OF. an accident where a
personal injury has been sustained,
or failing to satisfy judgement with
in a certain period after payment
is ordered by the court, Is entirely
= safety measure.
The collection of fees for titles,
registrations and permits is Of minor
consideration in comparison with
the study and operation Of the
safety functions as now carried on
by the Department Of Vehicles and
Traffic. BY transferring these func-
tions to other departments would
greatly Inconvenience the residents
Of the District.
The Engineering Section makes
investigations and studies Of all
phases Of accident prevention and
traffic control. On its studies are
based all traffic control measures
and regulations, the erection Of
signals, signs and markings. From
it's accident Investigations, particu-
larly of accident-prone locations,
are determined measures needed to
reduce traffic accidents throughout
the city. Studies are made of traffic
conditions in an effort to speed up
traffic and reduce congestion. From
these studies, signal control systems
are developed, channelizing and
laning lay-outs for highway and
grade separation plans.
The Sign Shop places and main.
tains all traffic signs and paints
| curbs and street markings in ac-
cordance with plans developed by
the engineering section. 1t places
emergency signs, ropes, ETC., for
parades and other large gatherings
and assists in the maintenance Of
the traffic signal system. The placing
Of these signs, ETC., is direct result
of traffic engineering.
Instead of having one place to
go and one place to hold responsible
for traffic conditions, with exception
of enforcement, as at present, the
proposal would split the work up
and scatter it into two departments
of the District government. This
division of responsibility would, no
doubt, lead to confusion and would
make it difficult for any individual
or any group of individuals to easily
bring about any traffic improvement
in which they may be interested.
The various activities of the Dis
trict government have now. after
many years and much effort, been
consolidated into one department
where everything relating to motor
vehicles and traffic, except that OF
enforcement, is now concentrated.
1t cannot be seen where there would
be either increased efficiency or
economy in the proposed setup.
The Washington Board OF Trade,
Merchants and Manufacturers As
sociation, Federation of Citizens
Associations, Keystone Automobile
Club and the District of Columbia
Motor Club of the American Auto
mobile Association are on record by
resolution as opposing the trans
ferring Of the functions OF the
Department of Vehicles and Traffic
to other departments.
The argument seems conclusive.