The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-10-17
ENFORCE TRAFFICLAWS.

Il HAVE had some serious automobile accidents IN Alhuqner-
wv que this week. II Is not the purpose Of the Herald to discuss
these particular accidents or any responsibility Of any per
pens in connection with them. That would be 70 assume a knowledge
which we have no right to assume TO fix.
The fact Of these aecidcnts, however, and Of the daily record Of
automobile accidents here and elsewhere, 20 be found IN the news
columns Of tbs or any other newspaper, serve to emphasize very force
fully the great risks Of careless automobile driving and the stern
Albuquerque has plenty Of traffic laws, for regulating automobile
driving. We do not use much of il. Recently a citizen put his foot
the business district. A vigilans wing of the law promptly pinehed him
and be was fined, we believe $25 uTder the reckless driving law. This
action may or may NOS have been Justified by all the facts IN this
particular case; we do moi know all the facts.
We do know chat the speed limit for automobile driving is vio-
lated daily, hourly and almost momentariy ON Albuquerque streets
In and out Of the business district that trucks. taxicabs, delivery wa
CONS, business and pleasure cars swing around busy corners at speed
which put the ears entirely beyond the Instant control that Is essential
We hove had our w rnings as to reckless and too-fast driving Of
automobiles. Up 10 now our luck has held. Fatal accidents have
been very few here. But there is a limit to luck; and luck has no place
IN traffic regulations in a city the size of Albapnerque.
ANY citizen who viii take the trouble 20 observe-and any police
officer as wdL-nay witness violations of the automobile speed limit
on any Albuquerque street that is passable for automobiles, within
almost any hour q any day.
Tie driver Of a delivery truck may be in a hurry to make his
round; both his employer and bis customer may be anxious TO be
ssrvsai out an 'as ease only two people rSp y y interest," = : assins'
cure behind his wheel, may feel confident Of perfect control of his ma
chine and il is easy 70 pass from confidence into carelessncss
The great majority Of Albuquerque automobile owners are careful
and thoughtful There are enough who are not careful and thought
fuI % render the use Of the automobile here a constant menace to
safety-a wholly unnecessary menace.
II Is fully recognized that there are accidents that are not to be
avoided. II clearly understood that the person who "jay-erosses" a
corner n who day dreams in the middle Of a street is a menace To
the most careful automobile driver. II is plain that the pedestrian
has a responsibility TO look out for himself. Blu; that responsibility
has its definite limit-which is the limit where an automobile driver
ceases To obey the law.
We need here a short, vigorous period of law enforcement on the
automobile speed limit. We need some arrests, fines and convictions
It does not matter one little pennysworth to the person who is hit by
an automobile, or 10 the person family, whether the car that hits him
power. Let US have action on the automobile traffic laws. If our
present police force is not adequate, let US make il SO Even the most
heavy fine, a Jail sentence and revocation of the driving license. Some
will respond 70 nothing less severe.