Editorials

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

Published in the Interest of Good Rads by the ARIZONA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Vol. IX AUGUST, 1933 No. 8

ARIZONA STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION

SHELTON G. DOWELL, Chairman, Douglas

MONTE MANSFIELD, Commissioner, Tucson

RAY N. VYNE. Vice-Chairman, Prescott

C. E. ADDAMS, Commissioner, Phoenix

JACOB BARTH, Commissioner, St. Johns

C. C. JARRETT, Secretary, Mesa

GENERAL OFFICE

SID SMYTH, Deputy State Engineer

T. S. O'CONNELL, State Highway Engineer

E. M. WHITWORTH, Vehicle Superintendent

J. S. MILLS. Engineer of Estimates

R. A. HOFFMAN, Bridge Engineer

H. C. HATCHER. Statistical Engineer

E. V. MILLER, Engineer of Plans

W. H. MURRAY, Superintendent of Stores

J. W. POWERS, Engineer of Materials

M. L. WHEELER, Chief Accountant

C. R. McDOWELL, Patrol Superintendent

SWAN A. ERICKSON, Engineer Certification Board

FIELD ENGINEERS GEORGE B. SHAFFER, District Engineer District No. 1

R. C. PERKINS, District Engineer District No. 3

F. N. GRANT, District Engineer District No. 2

W. R. HUTCHINS, District Engineer District No. 4

PERCY JONES Chief Locating Engineer Subscription Rates: $1.00 per Year Single Copy: 10 Cents Advertising Rates on Request Address All Communications to Editor ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Arizona Highway Department Phoenix, Arizona

SUPPRESSING THE ROAD HOG

The needs of traffic from the standpoint of safety are more and more receiving the attention of American highway authorities. With increased night driving, cars being built for greater speed and an ever growing flow of motor vehicles over the thoroughfares of the nation, protection of life and limb on the roadways has become a serious problem.Several states are conducting educational campaigns to teach the driver how to drive, and highway patrols are becoming daily more diligent in strict enforcement of traffic rules in rural sections.

Of all the hazards to motorists, the road hog and the careless driver are perhaps the greatest menaces. Everywhere in the country, the road hog is receiving increased attention by the authorities. Chief-of-Police Charles M. Finn of Chelsea, Mass., has dubbed him Public Enemy No. 1.

An illustration elsewhere in this issue of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS shows what happened when a truck driver insisted on keeping the middle of the road and a passenger car was crowded off the highway at a concrete dip. The truck went on, but the passenger car will never run again.The California Committee of Public Safety, a statewide organization comprising civic groups, professional associations and state, county and local officials, has inaugurated a "keep-to-the-right" campaign, in an attempt to change the mental attitude of the road hog. Carelessness and thoughtlessness are frequently the parents of this type of driving, the committee believes. The slow driver who takes the center of the road does not appear to realize that there are others behind who are trying to get some place. It has been made an infraction of California law for a motorist to take the middle of the highway.

In Arizona, white traffic lines are being painted on paved and oiled roads to guide the driver on hills and at points of danger and congestion.

Between Phoenix and Tempe, four traffic lanes, two each way, have been marked off by such stripes, to provide for slow and rapid travel. Slow traffic must keep to the right, while the driver who is in a hurry takes the lane next to the center.

Arizona highway patrolmen have been stationed along the route so marked, to educate the motorist in his obligation to his fellows.

Safety has become a paramount element in location and construction of new highways. In the campaign to save life and reduce the accident toll, the engineer is doing his part. Ways must be found to make the motor car driver do his.

OUR COVER PICTURE

The picture on the front cover page of this month's ARIZONA HIGHWAYS shows the Grand Canyon of the Colorado from Desert View Point and the great (Continued on Page 21)