Evening star., 1948-10-19
Traffic Revision
Report Ready
ForCity Heads
Regulations Would
Conform to Those
In Most States


week proposal calling for revision
Of the city's traffic and motor vehicle
regulations to make them conform
to those already in effect in most
States.
The proposed revision, which re-
suited from two years study by
traffic authorities here, was unani-
mously recommended to the Com
missioners last night at meeting Of
the Commissioners Traffic Advisory
Board in Municipal Center.
Traffic Director George E. Keneipp
said the revisions' value would be
mainly in making our laws conform
with those already in use elsewhere
or under preparation. He pointed
out that visitors make up about 40
per cent of the city's daily traffic
volume and that, if they knew the
city's traffic laws in advance, 1t
would reduce violations and, promote
street safety.
Obsolete Regulations to Go.
Mr.. Keneipp also explained that
the revision calls for elimination OF
existing regulations that are con-
sidered obsolete, impractical or 9TH
erwise unavoidable
The proposed revisions were de-
veloped as the result of recom-
mendation of the first Presidents
Highway Safety Conference of 1916.
At that time the conferences Com
mittee on Laws and Ordinances
turned the spotlight of criticism on
conflicting State traffic directives."
This condition was labeled by the
committee as the source of many
potential hazards.
Since August 81, 1916, a special
committee has met in Mr.. Keniepp's
Office each week to compare existing
District traffic regulations with
those set forth in the recommended
uniform vehicle code.
The committee was made up OF
Nathan M. Lubar, chairman: Mr..
Keneipp, Wallace L. Brau, deputy
director of vehicles and traffic; In
spector Arthur E. Miller, chief OF
the traffic division of the Police De-
partment; Assistant Corporation
Counsel Robert D. Wise and M. o.
E1dridge, former District director Of
vehicles and traffic.
Represents Careful Study.
The revision was said to represent
the committee members careful
consideration of the Districts dual
government flpctions as city and
state, and its geographical location
and highway plan.
The proposals are concerned solely
with operating and parking regula.
tions, but it was explained that
other motor vehicle laws pertaining
to registration and title Of vehicles,
operators permits, financial respon-
sibility lawss civil liability and so
forth are now in the process Of
being compared with appropriate
acts of the uniform vehicle code.
AIR. Keneipp said that by the time
The Commissioners approve the re-
vision, If they do, additional changes
may be made. AS it stands now.
the revision contains 174 sections.
One Of the regulations in the pro-
posals provides that the owner Of
vehicle shall be presumed to be
the operator in any case involving
violation Of regulations, unless this
Is proved to the contrary.
A new proposal also would pro-
vide that parent or guardian shall
not authorize or knowingly allow a
child or ward to violate any regula-
ton.
Emergency Exemptions.
Emergency vehicles such as am
balances would be granted certain
exemptions involving red lights,
parking, turning movements or
speeding, but only when they are
properly equipped with and use a
siren and have red lamp in front.
Several of the regulations in the
proposed revisions apply to bicycles.
One prohibits bicyclists from riding
abreast except on streets where BIZ
cycle riding is exclusively permitted.
Another says they cannot use q
roadway when a bicycle path is
adjacent. Nor are bicyclists to carry
any article if it means taking one
hand of the handlebars.
A fourth regulation in the pro-
posal would prohibit riding a bicyle
at high speed. And unless told
otherwise by policeman, bicycle
riders would have to obey all traffic
signs and lights.
A new regulation in the proposed
revision would prohibit standing,
stopping or parking within 20 feet of
a fire station unless it conflicts with
traffic or the motorists Is directed to
do otherwise by a policeman.
Funeral Cortege Regulation.
There also is a proposal that
would require each driver in q
funeral or other procession to drive
as near to the right hand of the
roadway as practicable and follow
the vehicle ahead of him as closely
as possible.
Other new revisionS would pro-
hibit a person from boarding or
alighting from a moving vehicle
and the driver from permitting
same; one prohibiting a person from
crossing a roadway other than by a
route at right angles to the curb or
by the shortest route, except in a
cross walk, and one requiring stop
or signal lamps to be in good condi-
tion and not projecting a dazzling
or glaring light.
A proposal directed against driv.
erS who are too slow declares no
person shall drive a vehicle "at
such a slow speed as to impede or
block the normal and reasonable
movement Of traffic except when re-
duced speed is necessary for safe
operation or in compliance with
law"
A violator would be free of re-
sponsibility IF at the time and
place OF the alleged violation an
official traffic sign is not in proper
position and not sufficiently legible
to be seen by an ordinarily observ-
ant person"
Youth Found Not Guilty
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