Evening star., 1949-11-22
Full Authority
Over Traffic
ByD.C. Urged
Group Asks Repeal
Of Law, Shift to
Commissioner Control

Commissioner Control
The Commissioners today had
before them a recommendation
that Congress be requested to re-
peal the present general traffic law
in the District and give full au-
thority over traffic regulations to
the Commissioners.
This recommendation was adopt
ed last night by the Commission
er's Traffic Advisory Board at its
monthly meeting in the Municipal
Center.
Nathan M. Lubar, chairman of
the Law and Legislation Commit
tee, who submitted the recommen-
dation. said Corporation Counsel
Vernon E. West had approved the
idea 80 as to enable the Commits
sioners to set out regulations prop
erly in general conformity with
the Uniform Vehicle Code and to
cover situations which now require
special legislation from Congress.
Public Space Parking Urged.
In another action, the board
suggested that parking be per-
mitted on public space" between
the sidewalk and building lines
both in residential and COM
mercial industrial areas. This
would provide 5000 to 10000 ad-
ditional parking spaces, Mr.. Lubar
said.
In submitting the recommended
tion on delegating all traffic regu-
latory power to the Commission
ers, Mr. Lubar declared, There is
a question as to the authority of
the Commissioners to delegate
power to the director of vehicles
and traffic to erect or locate stop
signs or signal lights which re-
quires special Congressional leg
iSlation"
Under the present law, Mr..
Lubar said, There is limitation
as to the fines and penalties for
speed which apparently are not
adequate for all offenses." Def
nitions established by the Con-
gressional act, Mr.. Lubar pointed
out-such as of reckless driving
and speeding-"are substantially
different from the Uniform Vehicle
Code, thus creating an inability
to have the uniformity which has
been sought as to traffic regula-
tions."
$1,000 Limit on Fines.
The recommendation also in
cludes:
Elimination of any specific
amount to be paid for titling and
lretitling Of automobiles.
Enlargement of, fines and penal
ties for speeding and reckless
driving, with authority given to
the Commissioners to set maxi
mum penalties for any traffic Of
tense up to $1,000 and imprison-
ment up to one year.
| # the Commissioners approve
the recommendation for the
simple new traffic law" Mr..
Lubar said, his committee would
"be glad to work with the cor!
poration counsels office" to pre-
pare comprehensive act covering
all traffic regulations.
The suggestion on public
space" parking would permit such
parking. in residential. sections,
with the consent of the owner or
person in legal control of the
premises. provided such parking
does not constitute a traffic haz-
ard" and in commercial and in
dustrial areas, parking of trucks
or customers automobiles "in &C
cordance with the usage of the
occupant of such building"
Approved by Barrett.
Mr.. Lubar pointed out that un-
der present definition of public
space, persons may not park their
own automobiles in their own
,driveways if this was between the
building line and the sidewalk.
To facilitate this public space"
parking in industrial and COM
mercial areas, the board suggested
that the District Government fur
nish signs indicating just what
kinds of and when parking be per-
mitted. Mr.. Lubar said Police
Supt. Robert J. Barrett had indi-
Gated his approval of the full re-
commendation. ,r.
The whole idea, Mr.. Lubar said,
is to provide public use of public
space by private individuals" It
would allow many motorists to
park their cars in their driveways
and thereby give additional park
ing space on the streets.
Another recommendation by the
board would require complete
re re-examination," including all the
road, visual and written operators
tests, for all persons who are con-
victed or forfeit collateral in con-
nection with accidents involving
death o. injury.
Traffic Director George E.
Keneipp disclosed he would ask
the Commissioners to allow traffic
lights to be kept in operation until
3 am. Saturdays and Sundays to
help stem "a marked increase in
accidents" during those early
morning hours. At present the
lights 60 off at am.
Little Congestion at Circle.
Mr.. Keneipp also announced q
series of tests had disclosed traffic
still is moving with comparatively
little congestion at Washington
Circle, even though the Whitehurst
Freeway now carries almost 10000
vehicles daily.
Tests have shown that the best
possible time" from Twenty first