MOTORS AND ROADS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 90, 11 January 1924, Page 10

MOTORS AND ROADS

HOW TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ARE HANDLED ABROAD The construction of roads in America and the almost remarkable control of the motor traffic there formed the subject of some interesting remarks made by Dr. H. T. J. Thacker yesterday, when he stated that the expenditure of sending an engineer from every city in New Zealand to San Francisco would be more than reproductive.

The great construction of roads, said Dr. Thacker, was goin" on at wonderful rate and the roads,could only be termed “magnificent.” Corners were being “cut” and every conceivable form of improvement was being resorted to to assist the road user. Signposts had even been erected with a number which, when referred to in the guide, gave all the information necessary.

In California, Southern California, and Los Angeles there were more mo-tor-cars “to the square inch” than in anv other country, and it was wonderful to see how the traffic was handled. At present thev were aiming at doing away with human direction and replacing mechanical devices. In New York overhead lights were used effectively operated by a man on the side of the road. A green light meant “stop,” a yellow light “get ready to move on” and a red light “proceed.” In Michagan Avenue Dr. Thacker drove along'ls miles and during the whole of that time, there were mo-tor-cars four deep coming and going with practically no variation. Speed “hogs” were immediately overtaken, and, without trial, fined and had licenses cancelled.

Tn England it was good to know that any driver o fn motor-car found to be under the influence of liquor, was pulled up and imprisoned without the option.