The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-26

10 reduce this to ffteen miles an hour.
But ever since that time the police
of many cities have concentrated their
attention on section 2sS OF the law,
which permits localities 10 Limit the
rate Of speed under certain conditions,
and also on the collection OF the re-
sultant fines. which under the law belong
to the State. but which unfortunately
have been withheld in approximately
one-half OF the counties IN the State
all this rather thar an offering OF pro-
lection to the public against dangerous
drivers. Thus. the police traps came
into action. and really no serIouS en-
deavor has been made t. eaton the
''scorcher" who rounds dangerous COR
ners In a reckless manner or e%rr1ansers
the lives of the public at the cross
roads.
The act Of 1910 has curiously put
many dollars into the local treasures
and the State. but It has been inadequate.
not because of its own fault. to stop a
great deal OF dangerous driving, because
the police, being human. ave realized
that thev can obtain convictions more
easily for breach of the speed limit than
for dangerous driving. which entails
trouble and organization to combat. In
considering the question of new legisla-
ton the natural question TO be asked
irst Is rs the present law adequate TO
deal with existing evils and. II Il Is, Is
the demand OF public opinion for An al
t~eration of the law n sufficient reason
why new legislation should be intro
duced?'
TIT real reason, as has already been
pointed out, for many of the public grie-
vances at the present time hes In the mis-
taken action of the police. who concen-
: ta : A thai- aSfArta aIpnnat aptlya1r Ap
short distance traps generally 22O
yards In length. instead OF trying ~ pre-
vent breaches OF the law and danger Ia
the public. Moreover. as regards new
legislation. II IL certain that in "A few
years the Legislature will he able %
ga uge the position better. and any alter
ations in the present law should there
fore be made with great caution.
But II the Legislatures hands are
forced and they are compelled To bring i'm
n new bill dealing with the regulation Of
motor traffic, II is first of all desirable
that the bill mould regulate not only
motor but all traffic. AS a matter OF
fact, the lives of road users are often en-
dangered by both horse drawn and motor
driven vehicles. Moreover, slow trafnc
Is habitually driven on the wrong side OF
the road and thus frequently becomes a
source or danger not only TO other traffic
meeting II and passing, but 10 third par
ties whose lives may he endangered by
the faster vehicles having to perform
difficult e~vOlutions In order to avoid an
accident which otherwise would he caused
by the neglect OF the slower vehicle.
Next. the new law should certainly
make II easier for considerate drivers Ia
avoid the meshes of what are called po-
lice traps, while on tho other hand the
law should be reinforced az against the
lnconsiderate and dangerous driver
Thirdly. a reduction In populous places
should be made In the general speed
limit n an extension OF It on safe and
open roads may, on the other hand, be
reasonably conceded.
The uses of instruments or signals OF
warning other than the horn also re-
quire regulation. The nuisance OF the
open exhaust and smoke fumes arising
from excessive fabrication might be
similarly dealt with, and these quite un
necessary defects In construction should
be made Illegal.
II has also been suggested that some
mechanical contrivance plainly indiCat-
Ing to a spectator the speed at which
a q 10 going should be made compul.
sorry. But It need hardly be pointed out