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Show Drivers' Disregard for Traffic Signals Increases Staqqerinq Death Toll By J. Anthony Carrothera Traffic engineer, National Conservation Bureau (This Is the sixth of a series of lu articles on street and highway safety, written by nationally recognized rec-ognized accident prevention specialists spe-cialists and published by this newspaper in the interests of greater traffic safety.) Only a fleeing criminal is likely like-ly to be reckless enough to disregard dis-regard a highway patrolman's howling siren or a traffic policeman's police-man's whistle. Yet an appallingly appalling-ly large number of otherwise law-abiding motorists habitually drive through red lights, exceed posted speed limits and disobey other traffic control devices whenever they think they can get away with it. About 24 per cent of all fatal accidents happen at intersections, another 12 per cent on curves. More than half of the drivers killed In grade-crossing accidents acci-dents last year were disregarding disregard-ing warning signals and signs placed there to protect them. The functions of traffic control con-trol devices are identical with those of enforcement officers to regulate, warn and guide traffic traf-fic except that they cannot make arrests. Control devices can be very effective in reducing accidents, ac-cidents, provided they are properly proper-ly placed, properly designed and properly obeyed. Traffic control devices which regulate traffic are the strong est aids of authorities In their efforts to reduce accidents and , Increase the safety and convenience conven-ience of drivers and pedestrians alike. The stop sign, the traffic light, the parking sign, the "no turn" sign and the speed limit sign are all regulatory devices. Violators of the directions given by these devices are punishable by fine in traffic court; they may also be punished far more terribly by Injury or death. Devices that warn motorists designed to call attention to a special hazard or condition where extra caution and alertness Is necessary. Devices that have this warning function include the flashing yellow traffic light, the curve sign, the crossroads sign, the painted center line of no-passing no-passing zones, and pavement messages In advance of points of hazard. Devices that guide motorists include "destination" signs for motorists traveling between cit- DANQfROUS I I SAFE I an Miwfiatiiu ' " ( les, signs giving specific directions direc-tions for vehicles In complex intersections, in-tersections, and lane and turn-control turn-control pavement markings. It is important that traffic control devices conform to nationally na-tionally recognized standards so that they can be understood- at a glance by motorists and pedestrians. pedes-trians. Considerable progress has been made In this during the past 10 years. The recommended shape, color and size for the various var-ious types of signs are: Regulatory signs white vertical verti-cal rectangle with black lettering. letter-ing. Warning signs diamond shaped shap-ed signs, yellow with black lettering; Singled out for special treat-treatment treat-treatment are "stop" signs and railroad advance warning signs. Both are yellow with . black lettering, but the stop sign is six-sided, and the railroad rail-road warning sign is round. Guide and information signs horizontal rectangles with black lettering. Obviously it is important to have enough signs, signals and markers, strategically placed at the needed spots. Every citizen can help by seeing that the traffic traf-fic authorities are given adequate ade-quate budgets to install and maintain proper systems of traffic traf-fic control devices. Our street systems of the future fu-ture will all have separate Intersections, Inter-sections, smoothly curved highways high-ways and depressed parkways which will make many of our present-day traffic controls unnecessary. un-necessary. Some of us may live to see that day. Certainly more of us will if, in the meantime as motorists and pedestrians we treat each sign and signal with as much respect as though it were the law itself. Because it is! |