A Contribution to Road Safety
Page 35
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THE Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs which was issued last week is, in many respects, a most useful contribution to the safety of the road. It has long been appreciated that the multiplicity of signals has tended to destroy their value, particularly as some existing types are not cornmendable for their clarity, whilst others are often situated too close to danger points or road intersections, consequently negativing their usefulness.
There appears to us to be little to criticize In the report, to the compilation of which considerable attention has obviously been given. In a few cases, alterations have been practically enforced, in order to conform with the types adopted by the European Conference. An example of these is the parking sign, which, in future, will be square instead of circular.
No Advertising Matter on Traffic Signs.
We are glad to note that the Committee is opposed to the incorporation of advertising matter in traffic signs, for, in our opinion, anything that is likely to distract the driver's attention from the sign itself should be considered as dangerous.
At present there are far too many " unofficial " notices indicating entrances to works, carriage drives, etc., and these are not to be encouraged.
One conclusion that the Committee has reached is that if clear indications are to be given to drivers as regards routes it will be necessary to subordinate the use of place names, and it recommends that the Ministry of Transport classification letters and numbers should be prominently displayed at suitable intervals, particularly in large towns. This may render easier the traversing of strange districts, but it adds somewhat to the probability of increasing traffic congestion, by tending to confine traffic to fixed routes. It panders, however, to the modern driver, who often starts out on quite a long tour without even thinking of obtaining a map. Possibly it is to 'the advantage of the commercial-vehicle operator, because the man who is thoroughly conversant with his route can often save annoying delays by utilizing less-well-known routes far from the madding crowd.
It is recommended that where there is no reason to the contrary, the lower edge of a sign should be 3 ft. 6 ins, above the crown of the road. This is likely to be advantageous both to commercial-vehicle and private-car traffic. A high sign can easily be missed and is difficult to read, particularly from low-built ears or enclosed cabs, whilst, at night, it is usually above the light of the lamps.
The use of the continuous white or yellow line as a definite warning and the discontinuous line for marking traffic lines, etc., is a practical suggestion.
The continuance of the ordinary three-colourlight signal, at present in use, is recommended, and except in abnormal intersections, these are to have S-in. lenses. :We are somewhat sur'prised at the Committee's opinion that centrally suspended light signals at road crossings are usually undesirable. Such signals have proved entirely successful in Berlin and other important traffic centres ; they usually effect economies in capital outlay and maintenance, and they are not so liable to breakdown, as is duplicated apparatus.
Precedence of Main Roads Recommended.
The view is expressed that the use of light signals or point-duty policemen at many junctions would be unnecessary if a definite precedence were given, in each case, to one route and a sign indicating " major road ahead" erected on the less important. There always exists the danger, however, that if a definite precedence be given to the main route, selfish drivers, unless definitely controlled, will never give way to traffic from the minor road. This may not matter when traffic is sparse, but is important when it is dense.