Editorials

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

Published in the Interest of Good Roads by the ARIZONA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT CIVILIZATION FOLLOWS THE IMPROVED HIGHWAY SEPTEMBER, 1934.

Later. Improperly directed lights when "dipped" toward the pavement are inoffensive, at least to the approaching driver. Legislation making "dipping" mandatory in passing cars on the open road and requiring "dipped" headlights when driving in congested districts and on city streets and enforcement of that legislation-certainly would remove the evil.

VOL. X. SEPTEMBER No. 9.

HAL MITCHELL, Editor Subscription Rates: $1.00 per Year. Single Copy: 10 Cents Advertising Rates on Request Address All Communications to Editor ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Phoenix, Arizona Arizona Highway Department

ELIMINATION OF A TRAFFIC HAZARD

It has been found that many automobile accidents are caused by drivers becoming blinded momentarily by glaring headlights on approaching cars. This is particularly true on sections of highways where traffic is heavy.

As the development of highways progresses and vehicular transportation increases, more and more automobilists are traveling the roads at night. Out on the open highway the practice of "dipping" headlights, in the Southwest at least, has become almost a universal courtesy, but that does not apply so generally in the regions in and about the larger towns.

It is significant that commercial bus drivers and truck drivers almost invariably lower their lights when meeting an approaching car. The same applies to that class of private car owners who spend much of their time out on the highways. The chief offenders, it appears, are the pleasure drivers out for an evening spin in the immediate vicinity of the place of their abode. The car used entirely for pleasure purposes frequently carries defective lights, improperly directed. No motorist who travels at night has escaped the aggravation of the approaching headlight ray which meets him full in the eyes. The headlight problem is one which is commanding the increasing attention of organizations that seek to promote safety along the highways.

A solution would appear to be a relatively easy matter-

NATIONAL PARKS ATTRACT MORE VISITORS

More vacationists in America are turning to the national parks in greater number than ever before and travel to these publicly owned recreational areas is far ahead of that in any previous year. From October 1, 1933, to June 30, 1934, there were nearly a million visitors to the parks, or 38 per cent more than for the same period during the previous year. With the three heaviest vacation months unreported, it is estimated that the total for the 12-month period will reach four millions.

Arizona leads all the state of the Union in number of national parks and monuments. It is reasonable to assume that of the total park visitors this state is receiving a lion's share. The tourist and vacation "industry" in Arizona each year is making a stronger bid for place among those longer established industries which have brought us wealth in the past, and it is one which may be expected to command increasing attention in the future.

OUR COVER PICTURE

The front cover picture on this month's Arizona Highways is a photograph by Norman G. Wallace of a section of oil-surfaced highway, U. S. 260, three miles north of Springerville, looking toward the town, which is shown in the distance. Arizona is developing a system of oilpaved highways which is perhaps the finest of its type in the United States, and the Arizona process has become standard for oil surfacing not only in many other states but in foreign countries as well. How something akin to perfection in this kind of pavement is being approached is outlined in an article, starting on Page 3 of this issue, by J. W. Powers, laboratory engineer, "Building from the Top Down".

THE SCORE KEEPER

By Magers