UNIFIED RULES

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 9

UNIFIED RULES

TRAFFIC IN AMERICA

CAMPAIGN IN 30CO CITIES.

More than 3000 municipalities in the United States have received copies of a model municipal traffic code drafted bv a special committee of the national conference on street and highway safety, and designed to unify regulations throughout the country. Automobile clubs and motorists’ associations have entered on a national campaign when they will endeavour to have their local communities adopt the model ordinance or its major features. The eight major .recommendations of the model code follow: — The pedestrian, at an intersection#, shall always have the right of way. Between intersections the motorists always have the right of way, the effect of these two regulations being to stigmatise jaywalking—crossing the street at places other than crossings—and to yield to the pedestrian the unquestioned supremacy at intersections. The practice of a motorist passing a street car on its ofl'-side is condemned, except where it is a one-way street, or where the track is placed on the extreme right hand side of the highway.

The right-of-way rule between motorists at intersections is further clarified, as follow: The motorist on the right shall always have the right-of-way unless the vehicle on the left first enters the intersection, in which the vehicle on the left shall proceed and clear the inter-section with due regard for safety. For cities installing traffic control signals the conference was of the consensus. and so voted that the threecoloured system, including green, yellow and red, is most efficient.

More stringent ordinances against the blocking of highways and streets by railroads, was declared to be paramount, due to the increasing density of traffic. Motorists at all times should be prevented by an ordinance from driving through a clearly marked pedestrian safety zone. The loading or unloading of commercial vehicles where the process requires more than 30 minutes, should be permitted only at night, thus minimising traffic congestion. Cruising taxi cabs should be forbidden, and in lieu of that practice all cities should authorise designated taxi cab stands at convenient points.

It must be remembered that in America the right hand driving nile is inforce.