The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-07-08
What The New Motor
Vehicle Law Means
(By E. Austin Baughman, Commits
sioner of Motor Vehicles


sioner of Motor Vehicles.)
Many important changes were
Maryland at the recent session OF
the General Assembly. The changed
conditions in motor vehicle traffic
during The past year or two had sug-
gested to me the need OF a complete
revision of the laws dealing with
that subject. Months before the
Legislature met l started to work
with the Attorney Generals office
upon a bill designed to take care OF
the situation in this State and par
ticularly in Baltimore city. | am
proud to say that the bill, which was
the result of that work and also of
suggestions made by the Automobile
Club of Maryland, was adopted by
the General Assembly with but few
changes. One OF the most 1mpor-
tant provisions in the new law which
went into effect on April 1st, creates
a Traffic Court in Baltimore city.
This court is given exclusive Juris-
dictior in Baltimore city over all
violations of the motor vehicle laws
of the State and also over all local
traffic ordinances The court is to
be held at the Central Police Station
and satisfactory arrangements have
been made for police and clerical as
sistance in carrying out the details
of the law. 1t is provided that the
justice of the peace who is assigned
to preside in the Traffic Court shall
hold hearings at such hours and
times as may be agreed upon by
the Board of Police Commissioners
and the Commissioner of Motor We
hicles. This provision enables us, if
it is necessary, to provide for the
trial of cases at night as we'll as dur
ing the day. The creation of the
Traffic Court will result in the con-
centration of all prosecutions under
the motor vehicle law in one place,
so that all such cases may be dealt
with under a regularly fixed and con-
sistent policy. In addition it will en-
able us to keep in one plcae record
of all cases, SO that the presiding
magistrate may have before him at
all times information as to whether
an accused person has been convic-
ted of prior ot1enses. This measure
will, in my opinion, aid materially
in the proper enforcement of the
law.
have always felt that | have the
cooperation and support of the intel
ligent motorist in trying to enforce
as rigidly as possible the penalties
for violations Of the motor vehicle
law. l feel sure that the intelligent
motorist, as well as the general pub
lie, realizes that the penalties will
never work any hardship upon the
honest law-abiding citizen, but will,
on the contrary, safeguard and pro-
tect him against the reckless and ir-
responsible operator. The new law
contains many severe penalties, in
some instances Jail sentences being
provided in lieu of fines upon convic-
ton for the second offense. l hope
it may be rarely necessary to i'm
pose these heavy penalties and that
all those who drive machines in
Maryland will deem it their duty not
only to observe the law themselves,
but to help others to observe it. If
this is done, the many serious and
fatal accidents which fill the news
papers almost daily will be a thing
of the past and the highways of
Maryland will be safe for everybody.
No person may now operate a mo-
tor vehicle without license, even
for the purpose of receiving instruc
lions. The new law provides that
everybody who operates motor We
hicle must have a license to do SO.
Those learning to drive must obtain
an instruction license This license
costs 81 and is good for thirty days
from date of issue. At or before the
expiration of that time persons who
have an instruction license must ap