New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-02
Cornell Wants Auto
Law Revised to Cut
Down Accident Toll
Highways Protective Society
Official Blames Drivers;
Would Create Commission
and Provide Drastic Test

DIdSLIC eSt
Ten thousand automobile accidents
took. place in New York City last year.
resulting in 748 deaths and injury to
thousands. One third Of the accidents
according to an unofficial estimate, was
caused by reckless driving, or inexperi-
ence or carelessness of the operator
Such avoidabe fatalities will con-
tinue to mount rapidly unless the pres
ent automobile laws are revised and
made more strict, Colonel Edward S.
Cornell, secretary of the National High
ways Protective Society, said yesterday
He said that insance persons, drug adj
diets, criminals and intoxicated peo-
pie were permitted to drive cars be-
cause there was no legislation ade-
4uately to contol and license operators.
Colonel Cornell recommended APP
pointment of commissioner of motor
vehicles. following the lead of Connec-
ticut and other states. This official, he
said, should have absolute control of all
motors and operators, and should grant
licenses only after a thorough mental,
physical and pactical examination.
Licenses should be required for all OPP
orators, whether professional, owners
or casual drivers.
Says Criminals Drive Cars
New York State now gives anyone
the right to drive car without exam
inaton or license so long as he is not
a chauffeur" said Colonel Cornell.
"Chauffeurs are put through a per-
functory examination, which does not
keep out dangerous characters. Crimi-
mails are driving cars to-day. Only few
days ago forty-seven chauffeurs ap-
/ peared before Chief City Magistrate
! McAddoo, admitting they were cope
fends and asking for relief.
IL recall one case where an insane
man drove up and down Fifth Avenue
{ He could not be punished like the pro-
fessional chauffeur, because he owned
the car and did not have to take out
license.
"Outside of New York City and Buff
falo no license at all is required In
those places a. man makes application
and sends a-dollar to the Secretary Of
State, for which he is given a card.
Anyone can get the card. 1t is only
financial measure. There is no super
vision.
Aids Situation in Connecticut
"The experience of Connecticut is
/ interesting motor vehicle commits
/ sioner was appointed in September,
/ 1917 In the year before that 1856 peo-
: pie were killed by motors in the state.
The year following showed a drop to
III. Other states show the same re-
suits.
''If one automobile driver kills
person in Connecticut his license is re-
voked automatically. He is then given
a hearing, at which he is enabled to
show cause why his license should be
returned to him"
The Connecticut record, just re-
ceived, showed that the III fatal acct
dents were divided in this way, ac-
cording to cause:
Intoxication of driver. 2
Reckless driving and speeding 80. 81
jIneXperience ............ 3
RefectlVe equipment. ..............
Pure accident. Observation-Disclosures. 12i
Negligence of person other than
driver Observation-Disclosures. 60
lights -...,.......... ..........
Defect in road. Observation-Disclosures. Il
Commissioner Blames Drivers
The report of the Commissioner
reads. in part: "The department
charges third, roughly speaking, of all
fatal accidents covered to the driver
Discipline must be made so severe and
the culprits must receive such punish
ment that all drivers will understand
that enforcement agencies and courts
are on the watch for willful negligence
and reckless driving and will give it
such treatment as will stamp it out.
'The law provides, besides fine,
/ suspension of one year for a convic-
tion of driving while intoxicated The
/ department policy is to absolutely elm
mate the drunkard. There have been
PSI licenses taken for this cause alone
/ in the period covered. None are re-
turned without an investigation and an
examination Of character witnesses at
hearing"
Colonel Cornell compared this figure
Of revocations in the small State Of
Connecticut with that of New York,
which thas more than seven times as
many motor cars. New York, with
100000 automobiles, had $50 licenses
suspended in the last four years.