Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-05-19
Reckless Automobile Driving In-
to1erable.

| Inc me weather OF last Sunday brought
out great number of automobiles and
motorcyclists from Washington city and
other points, who drove their machines
over the macadam roads in all parts of
the county. 1t is reported that the Conduit
Road and the macadam road extending
from that to Potomac were dangerous to
travel upon afoot even. To travel the other
roads was attended with little less danger
from the unlawful speeding of these ma
chimes. More tyrannous was the monopoly
of the public highways than heretofore, if
we may judge from the serious complaints
that the citizens of this county make
against the joy riders. Our citizens seem
not disposed to tolerate any longer the
reckless occupancy of the highways by
these machines.
One of our oldest and most respected
fellow -townsmen informs us that he visited
section of this county few days ago
and there he found that the sentiment
against Automobiles reckless unlawful
ness is very strong. The citizens of that
locality say it is their intention to appeal
to the Legislature for relief. If they cannot
get relief there, then they will be COM
PEELED to resort to shotgun protection,
Motorcyclists come from Washington to
Rockville in large squads on Sunday morn
ing. They make it a practice to stop at the
corner of Washington street. which leads
out to the Frederick road. They COM
pletely block the street. disregardful Of the
rights of those riding to church in vehicles
drawn by horses. which are badly frightened
at the startling noises made by the ma
chimes. They also speed through this
street going and returning in the evening
at the highest rate of speed of which their
machines are capable. forty miles or more
to the hour, endangering the lives of those
who might be called upon to travel on
Washington street. Persons on this street
are seriously complaining that our sheriff
and town bailiff tolerate this unlawful con-
duct without making the least effort to
check it,
The tyranny of these machine drivers is
becoming an acute question throughout
this State wherever the roads have been
macadamized 1t will be surprising If a
drastic law is not enacted at the session of
the Maryland Legislature next winter.
That drastic action should be taken
against chauffeurs and owners of automo-
biles who recklessly drive their machines
through the streets and highways, endan-
gering the lives of pedestrians, was the
keynote of remarks made recently to the
police magistrates by Governor Crothers
at his Office in the Union Trust Building,
Baltimore
The Governor did not mince his words
when he stated that he wanted the joy
rider put out of business, and he declared
that it was the duty of the magistrates to
severely punish offenders of the autOmo-
bile law. even If it be necessary to send
them to jail.
Mr.. John Z. George, Automobile Com
missioner. who was present, suggested that
magistrates not only impose fine on
chauffeurs responsible for accidents OF
speeding. but mete out jail sentence. In
his suggestion Gov. Crothers fully agreed
with him.
All of the district police magistrates
were present at the meeting. The Gov
ernOr declared that there was no more i'm
portant problem before the public than the
suppression of wild and reckless driving
through the streets.
you must make a special effort tC
break up this speeding" said the Governor
because it is your duty. The people have
a right to cross the streets without having
to run for their lives.
Let the chauffeurs know that you viii
show no sympathy for them and that yor
intend to deal with their cases with a view
of stopping speeding. Good, solid punish
ment is what some of them need. and you
should by all means administer it. 1t must
be stopped and you must insist that speed
ing will not be tolerated. Severe punish
ment to some of the viOlatOrs of the auto.
mobile law will have a wonderful mora
effect, and | am certain that all Of you
will cooperate in breaking up this bad
practice
The Baltimore Sun says editOrially in
referring to the automobile accident that
- Drsnaa GaArda'o nr,
Saturday evening last, that deprived a
Baltimorean of his life and nearly killed
his female companion in joy ride:
"A gain the automobile has taken its toll
of life in horrible fashion. If the death OF
Mr.. Williams and the injury to Miss Griffith
should have the effect of arousing automo-
bile owners and drivers to sense of their
responsibilities. good may yet come out of
this piteOus affair. Day in and day out
comes the news of automobile accidents,
some fatal to life, others destructive of
property only The people must be aroused.
1T is difficult to say what should or
should not be done In the end. probably.
the remedy must lie in public sentiment.
The men who drive machines must realize
that an awful responsibility rests upon
them, that any concession TO the speed
mania on their part not only may have
but in time is sure to have disastrous con-
sequences. They must realize the sacred
ness of human life. their own lives and the
lives Of others.
"Ths State has Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles, whose business 1t is to study this
question and take such steps as are posi-
Bile TO put an end to the automobile carnage.
II he were man enthusiastic in this
WORK. who agonized over the problem. took
1t with him to breakfast and to bed. he
could do much. For the present il is to be
hoped that every man who owns car will
let the lesson Of these tragic accidents sink
deeply into his heart"