WA Police Traffic Handbook (1930)

Published in 1930 by the Western Australia Police Department’s Traffic Branch, Perth Principal Regulations and Advice to the Drivers of Vehicles was a handbook created to explain Perth’s traffic laws to motorists.

 

As the number of motor vehicles on Perth roads increased, drivers needed to understand a growing range of regulations covering road safety, vehicle registration and responsible driving. The handbook set out the main rules in plain language and offered practical advice intended to reduce accidents and make the city’s streets safer.

 

Driving in Perth during 1930 was very different from today. Traffic lights were not yet in general use and busy intersections were often controlled by police pointsmen using hand signals. Drivers also used hand signals to show when they intended to turn, slow down or stop.

 

The handbook included information about:

• signals given by police pointsmen

• hand signals used by drivers

• one-way streets and traffic

• parking restrictions

• speed limits

• driver’s licences

• vehicle registration and identification plates

• selling, transferring or disposing of a vehicle

• headlights that dazzled other road users

• traffic accidents and the responsibilities of drivers

• overtaking other vehicles

• driving near trams

• driving while intoxicated

• vehicle equipment and brakes

• ​reversing

• driving on wet roads

• railway crossings