MOTOR CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 236, 24 June 1918, Page 8

MOTOR CONTROL

THE "ENO" SYSTEM STANDARDISED RULES FOR THE STATES It has !>een pointed out on several occasions that the motor traffic rules for the whole of the Dominion should • bo standardised so that tho work of control would ba lightened and the lot of the itinerant motorist be made easier. Mr. Jj. S. Drike, motor inspector for tho Wellington City Corporation, is a firm advocate of a standard «et of rules which would suit all city, suburban, and country requirements in New Zealand, and believes that tho sooner they are adopted tho less trouble it will be, as it is sure to couio about somo time< in the future. Tho growth of motor traffic will ensure that. It only needs tho representatives of tho four cities to get together and after serious consideration to draft model by-laws, and tho other towns, boroughs, and counties would be made to como into line by statutory enactment. On the ecore of "road maintenance uniformity of by-laws and methods of applying them are, necessary. In Cliristchurch the motor inspector is the registering officer, and has a complete register of all motor vehicles, running in private or public interests, all docketed on a card index, mi which is noted tho iiaiiie of the registered driver and date on which he took over the control of this or that car or lorry. In Wellington the registration is attended to by the statt , of the Kates Offlwv who know nothiug about ears and have no interest in them other than receiving the fees and giving receipts for them. In America a great movement is afoot to standardise the motor traffic by-laws in every town or city of over 5000 inhabitants. There, as here, traffic, congestion is a bugbear, and the authorities, in order to keep the traffic moving, have had to adopt stringent by-laws which motorists are forced to obey. With them it is "safety first"! They are determined to scotch the- driver who feels inclined to! "shake fifty out of hef" in a fairly crowded thoroughfare; the driver who charges at railway crossings and flaslifs past street junctions, risking his own nnd in many casea tho lives of other people. In tho United States the "Eno system" looks as though it was going to effect ■something that will be for the benefit of everyone To illustrate generally the lines on which the Eno system works we quote tho Eno traffic ordinance, uhiclr has already been ndopted by several States, and ol hers are fulling into line as they find it to their advantage to do so. The Ordinance. Duties of Drivers and Pedestrians. A—Streets are primarily intended for vehicles, lint drivers niust exercise all possible care not to injure pedestrians. B—Pedestrians should, first, avoid interference with vehicular traffic, and to

this end not step from tho sidewalk without first looking , to see what is approaching; second, cross street at right ungle, preferably at a crosswalk, and, wlipri' •! traffic policeman i") stationed, wait for his signal; third, stand on the sidewalk or close to the car tracks when waiting for a car; fourth, lace the front of the car when alighting, and observe the traffic on the right before moving to the sidewalk, and, if pnssing behind a eniv observe irattle in botli directions. o—Pedestrians should keep lo the right and not stop so as to obstruct a siiicwal'; or crosswalk on an entrance to a Imilding. , D—Pedestrians on streets γ-ith narrow sidewalk* should use the sidewalk on their right.

Article, 1.-Pacini;, turning, taping to tho right, bucking, and following. Section I—A vehicle meeting another shall puss to the right. Seclior. 2— A vehicle overtaking another shall pass to the loft and not pull over to the right until entirely clear of it, except ill overtaking a street car, when it shall pass to the right if spneo permits. Section ,I—A vehicle turning into a street to the right shall, turn the corner as near the right hand curb as'practicable.

Section t—A vehicle turning into a street to f.lio lelt ehull pass around Uie point of Midsection of tho two streets, but if so directed by the traffic officer shall pass in front instead of around the point of intersection. Section 5—A vehicle turning from one siflo of the street to the other eliall do so (the method is illustrated by a series of diagrams). Section O—A vehicle shall keep as.near as practicable to tho right liann curb, so as to leave the centro of tho street clear for overtaking traffic—the slower tho speed tho nearer tho curb. Section 7—A vehicle on a street divided longitudinally by a parkway, walk, sunken way,'viaduct, iale of sufety, or cab stand shall keep to the right of such division. Section B—V vehicle passing around a circle shall keep to the right from entrance to exit.

1 Section 9—A vehicle shall not back to make a turn if it obstructs traffic, but go around Iho block or to a street wido and clear enough for the purpose. Section 10-A vehicle ehall not follow another too closely toe safety.

Article ll—Stopping, Standing, and Parking.

Section I—A vehicle shall not stop with its left sjde to tho curb except in a onewny traffic street Section 2—A vehicle waiting in front of an entrance to a building shall promptly give way to a vehicle arriving to take up or set down passenger. Section 3-A vehicle shall not be left iti such a position, as to prevent another from coming to the curb in front of an entrance to a building, nor so as to prevent another already stopped at the kerb, except whilo actually loading or feet of a lire hydrant. Sectio'i 4—A vehicb shall not etand so as to prevent tho free passago of other vehicles in both directions at tho same time or in one direction in a one-way traffic etreet. Section 5—A vehicle, except where parking is allowed, shall not stand at any angle backed up or head-on to a kerb, except while actualy loading or unloading, and if horse-drawn and with four wheels the horses shall stand parallel with the kerb,- faced in the direction traffic is moving. Section li -A vehicle, unless a street car, ehall not etop in any street except near the kerb, and then so as not to obstruct a crossing or 'crosswalk, except to allow another vehicle or pedestrian to cross its path. Section) 7—A street car shall not slop within an intersection of streets nor within 5 feet of a street car ahead, not so as to obstruct a crosswalk. Article 111.-Overtaking Street Cars. Section I—A vehicle overtaking a street car stopped to take up or set down passengers shall slow down, proceed with great caution and consideration, and not approach or pass within 5 feet of the slip of the car while it is so stopped. Article iV-liight of Way. Section I—When in the performance of (inly, the following vehicles shall havo the right of way:—U.S. Mail, police, fire, fire patrol, Bureau of Buildings, emergency repair of public eervice corporations, ambulances, and the military. Section 2—Conditions warranting, north and south traffic should havo the right of way. ..- J Section 3—A vehicle in front of a street ] car shall turn out immediately upon i signal. Section. ■I-α vehicle 'shall not bo occupy any street as to obstruct traitic. Section 5—A vehicle, on. tho approach of fire apparatus, shall etop eo as not to interfere with its passage.

Article V—Signals. Section I—A \ehiclc's driver, when slowing or (stopping slmll «;ivu timely sij,'U;il by liaiid or whip or in soiM6 oilier Ulllllislllkllblu IllillllKM , . Section 2—A vehicle's driver when about to him cither from 11 etand.-dill or while in motion shall give timely signal by hand or whip or in some other unmistakable munner to imlici)lc the direction of the turn. This is especially important when turning- to Hie left. Section 3—A vehicle, before liiicking shall give ample warning. Section I—Polico whistle signals shall indicate:—One blast: North mid snnlli traffic stops and oast and west trallie. proceeds. Two blasts; Hast and west traffic stops and north and south procojds. Three or raoro blasts: Approach of firo apparatus or other danger. Section 5—A vehicle shall be equipped

'with lights and sound signals as proscribed by law. Section C—Sound signals are prohibited except for necessary warning. Article Vl—Speed. Section I—A vehicle, shall not exceed the. rate of speed established by law, and shall proceed with great caution, especially in making turns, in crossing other streets and crosswalks, and in passing other vehicles. Section 2—A vehicle shall not cross a sidewalk to or from an alley, lot, or building except very slowly and with great caution. Article VJI —Restrictions in Regard If Vehicles. Seotiou I—A vehicle's use is prohibited when so constructed, enclosed, equipped, or loaded as to be dangerous, retard traffic, or prevent the driver from having a view sufficient for safety. Section 2—A vehicle's.use is prohibited when so ..loaded with iron or other material as to create loud noises while in transit.

Ssction 3—A vehicle, when loaded with any material extending beyond its rear, shall be provided with a iod flag by day mid a re! light by night on the extreme rear end of euch load.

Section 4—A vehicle, unless confined to tracks, shall not tow more than one other vehicle, and the connection shall not be longer than 1G feet.

Section 5—A motor vehicle left standing without tho operator in charge shall have its motor stopped and efficiently looked and its emergency brake set.

Section G—No ouo less than l(i years of age ehall drive a vehicle intended fur commercial purposes. .Section 7—No one shall ride upon the rear of a vehiclo without the driver's consent, not with any part of his body protruding. Section B—Coasting ie prohibited when dangerous. Section 9—The use of a motor muffler cutont is prohibited. Section 10 —Dense smolce from motors is prohibited. Article Vlll—Control. Treatment and Condition of Horses. Section. I—A horeo ehail not b<3 unbridled nor left unattended in a. street or unenclosed space without being securely fastened, unless harnessed to a vehiclo with wheels so secured us to prevent iw behi|; dragged faster than u walk.

Seel ion 2—A driver sluJl continuously hold the reins iii his hands while riding, driving, or leading a horse. Section 3—No oni shall overload, overdrive, over-ride, ill-treat, or unnecessarily whip any horse.

Section I— No ono shall cr.icl: or use a whip as to excite any horse other than that which he is using, or so ns to annoy, interfere, or endanger any person. Section S—No one shall use it horse unleei it is lit for its work, free from lameness and sores likely to cause pain, and from any vice or disease to cause accident, injury, '.or infection.