Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-09-08
OFFICIALS CONFER ON
NEW TRAFFIC RULES
Increasing Number OF Automo-
biles Makes New Safety
Laws imperative.

Recognizing the eve growing dan
gers in the streets due to the constant
ly increasing number OF automobiles.
especially. and other vehicles. several
officials this morning held a confer
enc in the Office OF Mayor Leroy
Harvey for the purpose OF trying to
arrive at some conclusions that would
tend to diminish these perils Of trsf-
fc. The result was a decision to
appear before the directors OF the
Street and Sewer Department TO lay
before them the facts as they exist
and to make a plea that the new laws
and regulations for traffic be formu-
lated and adopted. The Street and
Sewer Department makes the trafnc
laws but 1t developed at this morn
ing's conference that this department
has been somewhat dilatory with
respect to it's attention to this matter
OF taking better care Of street trafnc.
Those at today's meeting were:
Mayor Leroy Harvey, Judge Daniel
o. Hastings. Judge John Lynn, Super
intendent Of Police George Black,
Street Commissioner Frank w. Pier
son, Charles G.. Guyer. representing
the Delaware Automobile Association,
L. A. DeBlois inc T. A. Walsh. repre-
senting the Delaware Safety Council;
David A. Ward, superintendent OF the
public schools.
It was agreed that the constantly
increasing number OF automobiles ira
verstng the city streets makes II nee
essary that steps be taken to insure
greater safety for the people who
have TO walk IN the streets and 70
better regulate traffic to avoid con-
gestion. Chief Black said the question
OF speeding IS not the serious phase
of the matter but the accidents OF
all kinds are due largely to tho care
less and reckless drivers and hat this
situation il tho result Of the present
inefficient system Of licensing auto
mobile drivers under present laws. He
said anyone can get a license and
there are many drivers who canno,
Tread Oh write and don't know a traf-
fc signal when they see one.
The plans followed in other cities
were discussed and IL was shown many
have adopted a rule 10 send TO jail all
traffic offenders and that this hae
tended to reduce the number Of ar
rests for this offence. Prison sentences
are said to ave a wonderful re
suit in making an automobile drive,
learn the traffic laws. II was admit
ted that more speed must be tolerat.
ed because it becomes necessary &c
speed up 20 keep out OF the way, tc
avoid congestion Of traffic and to kcel
abreast OF busineS but greater care
should DO exercised by drivers. Chief
Black said they have been paying toe
much attention TO speed and have
lost sight OF the r~eckiessness and care.
leesness.
Superintendent Ward thought III,
greatest recklessnsss 10 shown in turn,
ing corners. Judge Hastings said tht
Intoxicated automobile driver is tn,
real offender and no such mar
should complain when SEM to prison
Mr.. Guyer said the judges recent,
announced decision 10 send to TAI
every driver arrested for being DRUM
while driving was one OF the hes
moves yet made.
Judge Hastings thought IL remark
able there are not more accident
considering the number OF vehicle
and he said the safety council an,
traffic police have done good work 1,
educating the people as TO what to d,
to avoid accident. A licensing boar,
OF examiners for those applying 70
drivers licenses was suggested and
wa agreed this would be a goo.
thing.
The parking OF cars In the street.
especially on both sides of the on
way traffic streets was discusse
and found to be a problem in itsel
Judge Lynn suggested a compulsor
liability insurance law for all auto
mobile wners.
> 1t was finally decided tina as lon
: as the Street and Sewer Departmer
: makes the traffic rules that is the de-
: partmsnt with which TO discuss an
! changes thought necessary and n
; subject will BE- laid before the dire,
tors at q meeting in the near futur