AMERICAN TRAFFIC WAYS

Manawatu Times, Issue 6848, 1 March 1929, Page 4

AMERICAN TRAFFIC WAYS

Always 40 m.p.h. and Few Fines "I was in America during June, July and August of this year and took particular notice of the motor traffic and rules," writes a touring Australian to a friend. "I also drove close on 4000 miles with an American friend. The traffic seems to be mled without effort; the accidents are few, and the drivers keep the rules. I spoke to many drivers about fines, but never met one that had been fined.

"The pace'in the country is always around 40 miles an hour. Ihe roads are good, with a broad white or coloured mark in the centre. Every driver keeps his right side of that mark. In the cities there are no police in street crossings, all busy crossings being worked by automatic bells placed on the four footpath corners. The bells ring, and all traffic stops, except that which is already crossing. In two or three seconds the bells will ring again and a sign ‘‘ Stop ’ ’ appear to one street and the word 1 ‘ Go ’ ’ to the other. Then in 10 to 20 seconds the bells will ring again and let the other street free. The bells’ time is adjusted according to the amount of traffic, as the main street may need longer than the cross street.

"Pedestrians never cross between intersections, but line up and take their turn with automobiles. All cross streets leading in to main streets, even in the country (this is where there are no automatic bells) have a post with a diamond-shaped board on top, on which are the words: ‘Stop. Arterial,’ To me this is a wonderful idea. Note the fatal accidents wo have had through the careless driver rushing out of a side street.

"I really believe that 99 per cent, of the drivers stick to the traffic rules. Then again if they do not abide by the rules they always know that a man can step up to them at any moment, take their address and hand them an account. This account they take to the Court and pay. A receipt is attached to the licence, and should the person present it again for further payments each receipt will mean added interest."