AMERICAN TRAFFIC WAYS

Shannon News, 15 March 1929, Page 4

AMERICAN TRAFFIC WAYS

"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. ''l also drove close on 4000 miles with an American friend. The traffic seems to be ruled without effort; the accidents are few, and the' drivers keep the rules. I ypoke 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. The-roads are good, with a broad white or coloured mark in the centre. Every.driver keeps his right side of that mark. . 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 land a sign 'Stop' appears to one street and the word "Go" to the'other. Then in 10 to 20 seconds the bells will ring agaiji 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 cro&s between intersections, but line' up arid take their turn with automobiles. All cross streets leading in-to main streets, even in the country' (this is where there;h.re uo 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 we have fhad tlirough the careless driver rushing out of a side street.

"I really believe tihat 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 ftirther payments each receipt will mean added interest." yimbzi.* __.