One-third of U.S. adults are said to be functionally illiterate, and the District of Columbia is no exception. I introduce in evidence my twenty years observing the 11th Street Literacy Test.
At the intersection of East Capitol Street and 11th Street, facing East-bound traffic at the foot of Lincoln Park, is a large sign beneath a traffic signal. The traffic light is the conventional red-yellow-green type, with an arrow pointing towards the right, which lights up red and green at regular intervals.
There is a large sign, big black letters on a reflective white background, reading “RIGHT TURN ON à ONLY.” Consistently, one-third of all drivers ignore the sign and arrow, turning right in violation of District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Title 18 Vehicle and Traffic:
2103.4 A GREEN ARROW shall have the following meaning: (a) Vehicular traffic facing such signal may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow; and (b) Vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
2103.8 A STEADY RED ARROW shall have the following meaning: (a) Vehicular traffic facing the signal destined to proceed in the direction that the arrow is pointing shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, the vehicle shall stop before entering the intersection; and (b) The vehicle shall remain standing until a green arrow or flashing yellow arrow is shown.
It’s not like the Municipal Code is hanging up there. A symbol is even substituted for the difficult phrase “green arrow.” I respectfully sugest that, henceforth, the Driver’s License examination be administered by Reading Is Fundamental.
