Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-25
RECKLESS AUTO DRIVERS.
Proposition to Impose Cumulative
Fines Commended.

A dealer in automobiles remarked to a
Star man today: What think to be the
best and most salutary solution of the prob
lem Of curbing reckless auto drivers which l
have yet seen presented was contained In
an editorial in The Star a few days ago,
part of which. referring to the suppression
of the auto field. read thus:
" The fine might be levied on an increas-
ing scale for second, third and subsequent
offenses, perhaps with Imprisonment as
climax In case Of persistent violations. In
cities the license of the chauffeur should
be forfeited after second or third convic-
tion.'
There is more genuine value in The
Stars brief suggestion than in whole vol
umes of warnings and good advice on the
increasing evil Of the reckless driving OF
auto machines. Dealers in these machines
deprecate their reckless handling strong
ly as any one else, and advocate speed
trials upon specially prepared tracks rather
than upon the public highways and the city
streets.
1.-THE people Of Washington had unpleas-
ant experiences last winter with these peo-
pie. several Of whom were wealthy sojourn-
ers in the capital. and one or two states
men at the Capitol. 1t remains to be seen
whether these instances are to be repeated
this winter, and 1t Is up to the police to see
that the violators of the speed regulations
in autos vigorously prosecuted as
THE bicycle police force of the capital
now numbers sixty men, having been large
ly increased during the summer. Its horse
mounted force numbers fifty men. A force
Of ITO mounted men in a city of this size
ought to be able to hold the reckless driv-
ers of motor machines down with firm
hand. 1 do not believe that it Is generally
known that the bicycle corps and mounted
results may be anticipated. In city
where nearly every street and avenue Is a
straightaway race course for the automo-
bilist, it will be a great card to be able to
say that the pedestrians Of Washington are
safeguarded against the Black Demon. or
the Red Terror or any other terror, holy or
otherwise. and life Is reasonably safe from
their grinding wheels.
with q vigilant police force it will then
be up to the judges of our police courts to
impose wholesome fines as The Star sug
gested. A fine Of a few dollars Is plainly
Inadequate. A reckless chauffeur is every
bit as dangerous as the man who goes
around with razor in his pocket. yet the
latter is invariably fined $50 on a charge of
carrying concealed weapons. The reckless
ly driven auto is much more deadly.
1.-The cumulative system of fines suggest
ed ought to be adopted here and followed
in other cities, where the overbearing mil
uonaire owner and his Chauffeur have be-
come nuisance and a menace to their
communities. The cumulative system of
fines imposed proportionately, say, $50 for
the first offense, $10O for the second and
$500 for the third, would have pacific eff
feet even upon the rich. The Suggestion is
such an excellent one that wish the police
judges of this city would put it in practice
as an object lesson. It would soon be fol-
lowed by other cities. once it became gen
orally known, and the good effect of the
Washington cumulative system of fines
would be widespread
II would like to add to The Stars timely
suggestion that another way to reach the
reckless auto driver is to demand heavier
cash collateral at the station houses upon
arrest. A so collateral Is too small and is
forfeited without regret. but rather with
pleasure because attendance in the Police
Court will not then be necessary. The COL
lateral in these cases should be fixed at not
less than so or $25.
1T will be remembered that last winter
most Of the drivers arrested whether own
ers or hired chaffeurs. forfeited the collat-
eral they deposited and 'chugged chugged'
merrily homeward. Their smiles would
have been less expansive II they had left
$25 with the desk sergeant. and the 'chug
chug, chug Of their machines would have
been less rapid as they rounded the corner
into Pennsylvania avenue"