New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-25
SUBMITS AUTO RULES
Alderman Folks Would Limit
Speed and Provide Penalties.
OWNERS PENALIZED ALSO
CORPORATION Counsel Is Asked to
Draw Ordinance Along
Lines Suggested

Ralph Folks. chairman of the special al
dermanic committee which has been In
vestigating the driving OF automobiles ir
the city with the idea of revising the specs
ordinances. has submitted a number o.
suggestions to the Corporation Counsel
with the request that they draw an ordi-
nance along such lines.
The folIowing maximum speeds are rec
commended: In residential and business dis
tricts, fifteen miles an hour; in places
where houses are $50 feet or more apart
twenty miles an hour; on roads known as
country roads. bounded by undeveloped
property and farm houses twenty-five
miles an hour, speed in excess OF these
amounts 10 he prima faCie evidence OF
rockies driving. but in case of accident
the fact that the driver was not going in
excess Of the speeds laid down to raise no
presumption in favor OF the driver that he
was driving in careful manner.
1t is recommended that the part of the
Callan law which states that speed at all
times and under all circumstances shall be
consistent with public safety shall lie re
ENACTED as part of the city ordinance.
It is purposed to require automobiles to
stop six feet from the rear OF all electric
cars that are stopped at crossings for the
purpose Of disChdrging or receiving pas
sengers. and that automobiles should SLOW
down 10 a reasonable speed in passing
any street where cars are being operated.
Another recommendation is that private
owners when riding as passengers he sub
dect TO the same penalty as the chauffeur,
br possibly that penalty lie against the
car. regardless of the owner or the occu-
pant when it is being driven in violation
of the law
The following fines are suggested:
First offence Not less than :25. and not
snore than 500, with an additional jail sen
ltence not n exceed thirty days. in the
xliscretion Of the magistrate.
Second offence Not less than So and not
more than S10o. and a jail sentence not to
lexceed thirty days in the discretion OF the
Third offence: sloo and an additional pen
elty Of thirty DAYS in Jail, with no discre-
'don on the part of the magistrate
A number cf amendments to the Cdllan
etate law are suggested, and the Corpora
lsion Counsel is asked 10 do what he can
10 secure the passage Of such amendments.
Hdt is recommended that no person he al
BOWED to drive a car unless he or she be
duly licensed and that applicants for
Iicenses he required TO show by actual tests
with dummies that they are capable OF
driving with discretion and Judgment
II is suggested that licenses, at least so
FAR as the CITY OF New York is concerned,
Ne revoCahle by a magistrate or the Police
commissioner upon the submission OF prop
xr evidence of reckless driving.
Brake tests of all cars at least once a
year and a requirement that they be able
70 stop the car going at the rate OF III
Teen miles an hour in a distance between
fifteen and twenty feet are also suggested.
Some more adequate method Of lighting
license numbers at night is also recon-
rnended.
The committee also suggests that the
Police Department organize larger motor
cycle squad for the arrest Of persons VIC
lating the automobile law In any partlcu.
lar. and that such records be kept as would
enable the magistrate to learn the numncr
OF times. If ever before. defendant nad
been arrested for the same oNence.
The desira blity of excluding all except
street car traffic from Fulton street be
tween the Borough Hall and Flatbush ave-
nue.. BROOKLYN. IS suggested.