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 can be improved. Such review and revision will be based largely on the finding of approved experimentation and research.

Legal Authority

In the case of regulatory devices, the meaning of each and the actions required of motorists and pedestrians should be specified by State statute, or by local ordinance or resolution. There is still wide variation in these laws throughout the country, however, and the same device does not everywhere and always mean the same thing to highway users. Obviously, uniformity of rules of the road is fundamental to true uniformity of traffic control devices.

Two publications by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances are specifically designed to provide the content and language of legislation needed to give regulatory devices the same meaning in all jurisdictions. These are the Uniform Vehicle Code (chapter 11, Rules of the Road) for States, and the Model Traffic Ordinance for municipalities. Both the Code and the Ordinance require the placing of signs or other traffic control devices to make some of their provisions effective, and both define the legal meaning of certain devices. The Code directs the State authorities to adopt a manual for a uniform system of traffic control devices, and the Ordinance requires devices under municipal jurisdiction to conform thereto. The adoption of this legislation is a logical first step toward uniformity.

Responsibility for Control Devices

The responsibility for selecting, installing, operating, and maintaining traffic control devices rests with a multitude of jurisdictions. In many States, State and local officials are required by statute, to conform to this Manual, or to a State manual which must be in substantial conformance with this Manual. Federal legislation provides that any signs, signals, or markings installed on highways constructed with Federal-aid funds (since December 20, 1944) shall be subject to approval of the State highway department with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, who is directed by the law to concur only in installations that promote safe, efficient highway use. Bureau of Public Roads regulations, in practical application of the law, call for 4