The Safety Line

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Safety Line

Tire white centre traffic safety line which has now come into almost general use on highways in motorised countries was, until recently, thought to have originated in 1911, from the proposal of the late E. N. Hines, a prominent figure in highway safety activities in Detroit (U.S.A.). Some little time back, a plaque was presented to Mr Hines to commemorate his great contribution to road safety.

Evidence has now been, provided and substantiated by photographs, which prove that an ole Mexican road between Mexico City and Cuernavaca, built under the Spanish regime 350 to 400 years ago, had inlaid in its centre a stripe composed of light coloured stones. Tliis old stone road, many sections of which are in service to-day. was, it is believed, thus divided to

prevent quarrels between ancient travellers who wanted to be sure that they got their half of the road for their burros and waggons.