Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-02

new law considerably strengthens the
commission and adds some new often
ces which are punishable. Most of
the changes were originally suggest
ed by the Safe Road Automobile as
ISOLATION and were concurred In by
tho highway commission.
According TO the Boston Transcript
TO motorists from outside the State
arc just now going into Massa-
chusetts in large numbers. a section
of the new law is particularly impor-
piled with the laws of his home state
may still drive in Massachusetts
seven days without taking out a Massa-
chusetts registration. He must. nov
ever, drive himself. az tho law does
not make provision for the operation
OF such a car by a chauffeur.
II a npn-resident driving In Massa-
chusetts during the seven days limit
is convicted OF violating any provi-
sion of the automobile laws. whether
or not ne appeals. he must thcrcup-
on have his car registered there and
secure a license. thus placing his car
and himself under the jurisdiction OF
tho Massachusetts highway commits
sion. The courts are required to send
records of the convictions OF non-rcs-
dents to tho highway commission.
The new law enlarges the powers of
the highway commission in, several
directions. most important perhaps
being the provisions which constitute
tho commission an Investigating
body In relation to accidents. 1t is
specially provided that the commits
sion may summon Witnesses, admins
ter oaths and take testimony, thus
making It to all ~intcnts and
n court. Furthermore the net requires
that the commission shall appoint not
more h a four Investigators or ex-
amincrs with powers Of constables,
police officers and watchmen and
with power to serve processes that
may legally be issued by the commits
sion.
Through these examiners the COM
mission may Investigate the cause Of
any accident in which any automobile
or motor cycle is involved. Whenever
thu Annfh NJ nnv oarer- -.r.A- &c.,
such an accident the commission Is
required forthwith 10 suspend the H.
cense of the operator, and must re-
woke tho license. unless upon investi-
CATION or after n hearing, 1t determines
that the accident occurred without
serious fault upon the part Of the
operator. II a license is revoked II
cauno. be renewed for a period of at
least six months.
Tho power Of tho commission As
further increased by a section of the
law which authorizes It in its discre-
ton and without a hearing TO sus-
pend the license OF any operator
whenever It has reasun to believe that
the holder is an improper or ,ncon-
potent person TO operate an automo-
bile or motor cycle, or is operating
improperly or so as to cndange the
public md the license shall not be
reissued unless. upon examination or
investigation or after a hearing. the
commission determines that the, on.
orator should again be permitted to
operate.
Under the old law the commission
could not take action until a COM
plant had been brought and then IL
had to give n hearing. The new law
puts the burden OF proof upon tho OPP
orator instead OF upon the
wealth. The new Massachusetts, law
also amends tho section under which
persons learning to operate were per-
United to operate a car II there was
a licensed person In the car with
them' Such operation for Legitimate
purposes Is still permitted. bu. a per-
son who has had his license reyok, cd
or suspended cannot continue 10 on
erate under this clause and evade the
Ia" by carrying q licensed chauffeur.
Failure to display on a motor vs.
hicle the number or mark duly issued
therefor Is made ar offcnse punish
able by n fne not exceeding a10o or
by Imprisonment for a term OF ten
days OF by both Hns and imprison-
ment. This Is the same penalty n. for
operating after suspension or revoca.
t'oh or a license. For going away
without a reasonable excuse and with
out stopping and making h,mse,,
KNOWN after causing injury to any
person or property. an operator makes
himself liable to a fine not exceedinp
800 or by Imprisonment for a term
not exceeding six months.
This IS the same penalty M %,
reckless driving OF driving whne nm
DER tho influence of Intoxicating II.
quor. For these ofrenses. moreover
tho operator loses his license, and tn,
new law provides mat whenever any
person convicted OF reckless driving
operating while intoxicated or run
hing ava appeals. the commission
shall Immediately suspend the licens,
| of tho pnrsOn nn cnnNIctod nna A,