Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-06-22
FEES AND FINES
FOR GOOD ROADS
IMPORTANT PROVISION or AUTO
MOBILE LAW IN EMPIRE
STATE.
SPEED LIMIT ABOLISHED Nd
OLD FORM OF TAX
ALSO.

| Probably the most logical and scr
entilic motor vehicle law which has
yet been devised and put upon the
statute books of any state is the new
Law passed by both houses of the New
York legislature and signed a few
days ago by Governor Hughes. The
bill has two or three features which
! might be pronounced unnecessarily
harsh in the burdens they impose
upon motor vehicle users, but as a
whole the measure is a distinct ad-
vance over previous legislation in this
field.
For several years the questions in
| volyed in motor vehicle legislation
have been the subject of study and
test by those whose connections ana
experience have qualified them to for
mulate proper rules and regulations
in this regard Charles Thaddeus
! Terry. general counsel of the National
Association of Automobile Manufae-
turers and counsel to the New York
State Automobile association. is high
/ ~ gratified to see many of the SUD-
stantial principles of motor vehicle
| legislation which he has been advo-
eating for onward of four years en-
bodied at last in a comprehensive
statute in the foremost automobile
state in the country.
The cardinal principles Of a scien-
tific and adequate motor vehicle stat
ute which Mr.. Terry las set forth in
argument, and which he has defended
on numerous occasions, are all. with
two or three exceptions, embodied IN
the new law. The advantages both IN
respect of protection of the highways
generally and in respect of due op-
servance of the rights of motor We
hiele users. seem obvious from an in
spection Of the provisions of the stat
ute. The more important may be
briefly set forth as follows:
Miles an hour limitations upon the
| speed which may be maintained by a
motor vehicle are practically elimi-
mated. and speed is regulated by the
ordinary common law rules defining
| carefulness on the one hand and neg
hSeHce on tna OLner.
By VIRTUE of this elimination OF
miles an hour provisions, and by vlr.
tue of another set of provisions, re-
quiring a double report of all magls.
tretes and couits where motor We
hiele eafes rday be heard-to wit,
both TO the secretary of state and to
the state treasurer, tG whom must be
forwarded all fines and penalties in
| tlicted. speed traps will I've abolished
All registration fees and fines and
penalties win go to the construction
repair and improvement of highways.
All taxes. both state and local. upon
automobiles used upon the highways
are wiped out. although the reglstra-
ton fees for the vehicles are some
what increased In amount. The inius-
tiee OF imposing registration fees OF
such an amount as to be in reality a
tax may be fairly claimed to be com.
pensated BY the elimination of other
taxes rpon the vehicle, and by the
abolition of speed traps and conse-
quent fines through the provisions of
this bill.
The extreme penalties imposed for
so-called Joy riding win put an end TO
the abuse which has brought In years
past the deserved criticism of the
whole class Of motor vehicle users.
The provisions of the bill respecting
the examination. licensing and identi-
fication of chauffeurs and the punish
ment of them for offences will put an
end to what has been demonstrated
to be ninety per cent of all the wrongs
caused by motor vehicle operators. IL
has come TO be known that 1t is the
professional, the expert, who takes
tue chances and puts in hazard the
persons and property of others. and
as this class Is largely made up OF
chauffeurs. It may be justifiably as
sumed that the unfavorable comment
made upon the operation of motor
vehicles win hereafter be reduced to
a minimum In this state.
The use OF fictitious Identification
numbers has been ended BY this law.
This is brought about by the require
meht OF annual registration, and by
the change in eolor each year OF the
number plate
Cumulative penalties for technical
violation of speed limitations have
been abolished, Instead of the pro-
visions. as they have been in the past,
imposing increased penalties for sec.
ond. third and subsequent offences.
there will be under the present law
nothing but a first offence. the ex.
IRENE penalty for which is a fine NOT
/ exceeding SION