New-York tribune., 1910-01-17
AUTOLAW PROBABLE
TO AID GOOD RO4DS.
Legislators See Importance
Bay State .4ct Liked.
INV Teleeraph 10 The Tribune.

tBy Telegraph TO The Trbune.I
Albany Jan. 16-Legislation regulating
or affecting the use of automobiles appar-
entity will be of the live issues this
session. Already three measures have been
introduced--two comprehensive ones de-
signed to meet the Governors recommenda-
tons in this respect, and one TO make more
easy the identification of motor vehicles in
case of accident TO pedestrians.
The legislative leaders recognize the i'm
portance of this subject, and undoubtedly
there win be passed this year general
measure for a motor vehicle tax the pro-
ceeds TO be devotal to the maintenance of
good roads, and for the proper regulation of
motor vehicles. 1t seems probable. too.
that any measure passed this year will be
drawn to avoid the features which caused
Governor Hughes to veto last years meas
ure his position on them having been made
SC plain. These were the absence of a
definite speed limit and the taking of pow
ers of regulation of motor vehicles out of
the hands of local authorities.
Much study has been given by some leg
islators here To the new automobile law of
Massachusetts, which has received much
praise from automobile owners careful
chaufeurs and state officials alike.
MUST RUN AT SAFE SPEED.
This law provides that motor vehicles
shall be run at a rate of speed "at no time
greater than is reasonable and proper hav-
ing regard for traffic, the use of the way
and the safety OF the public.
II makes a rate of speed of more than
twenty miles an hour outside of the thickly
settled or business part of a city or town
prima fac!e evidence of a speed greater
than is reasonable; also a rate of fifteen
miles an hour within the thickly settled or
business part of a city town. A rate of
eight miles an hour is the limit of speed
fixed for approaching crossings or turns.
Cities and towns are allowed to make
their own special regulations, but they
must be approved by the Massachusetts
Highway Commission.
All motor vehicles must be registered
with the commission, the fees ranging from
50 to $50 a year, based on the horsepower
of the machine. All persons running
motor vehicle must be licensed.
Violation of the section in reference TO
the rate OF speed is punishable by a fine of
not more than S25 for the first offence. not
more than $50 for the second offence and
800 for the third offence within twelve
months. On conviction for the third offence
the commission may revoke the license for
thirty days, and may issue it thereafter
only at its discretion.
STRINGENT PENALTIES.
Stringent penalties are provided for vio-
letion of the law by a person because of
wager, TO break a record, while operating a
motor vehicle when intoxicated or for
knowingly going away without stopping af-
ter injuring person. For the first Of
fence a person may be fined 500 i'm
Sar civ no
offence-running a motor vehicle while
intoxicated-only one penalty is provided;
that is, imprisonment of from one to two
years The offenders license is also to be
revoked
A bill presented by Assemblyman Callan,
of Columbia County. follows closely the
Massachusetts law 1t provides that every
machine shall be taxed. but that no single
tax shall exceed s25 Each driver shall be
licensed by the Highway Commission; no
person under sixteen years old shall be
allowed to run motor vehicle and no pro-
fessional chauffeur shall be under eighteen.
The maximum speed limit is twenty miles
an hour. and limit of eight miles an hour
within q city or the crowded portions OF
any municipality or village is fixed. Local
speed regulations may be made. but the
limits there fixed must not exceed the limits
fixed by the state law
GARAGES MUST KEEP RECORDS.
The penalties fixed by this bill are those
named in the Massachusetts law. The
measure provides for a complete record by
courts and trial justices of convictions un-
der the law, these records 10 be sent at
regular intervals to the Highway Commits
sion. All garages must keep records of cars
entering them and their drivers names.
The Highway Commission shall appoint
agents TO enforce the law, these agents to
be paid out of the proceeds of the regis
tration Of cars.
Assemblyman Dana, of New York has
presented bill which he says is based on
experience gained by him as an Assistant
District Attorney in New York County. 1t
provides for registration fees and the
licensing of drivers. It is much less drastic,
though. than the Calan bill in other par
ticulars. 1t has practically the same provi-
sions regarding speed limit as the measure
vetoed by Governor Hughes last year. 1t
permits speed up to fifteen miles an hour in
crowded portions of cities, up to twenty
five miles an hour in outlying portions of
cities and UP to thirty miles an hour in
country districts. speed greater than
thirty miles an hour in the country is 10
be prima facie evidence of negligence On
the fourth conviction of chauffeur for yio-
lating the speed regulations his license shall
he revoked. and he may apply for a new
one only after two years have elapsed