Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-22
MORE teeth FOR MAINE
HIGHWAY LAWS

There are still divver boobs,
DRINKS and reckless drivers on the
highways, but for that matter muir
ders are still being committed, rum
Is being sold. and acts of lawlessness
are being committed all over the land.
Reckless driving can be checked but
never eliminated and overspeed Will
not be done away with until motor
vehicles are equipped with governors
that will prevent the vehicle from be-
ing driven at great speed"
In his message to the Maine Auto
mobile Association at its recent con-
vention at Bar Harbor, H. A. Shorey.
Jr, directing the enforcement OF the
motor vehicle laws OF the State, gave
a most interesting and comprehensive
summary OF the efforts which are be-
ing made all over the State by high
way officers for the safety of the
travelling public, and made many
valuable suggestions for carrying on
th.s work to better advantage.
The fact that the State Highway
Department has already during this
season revoked nearly 200 licenses of
intoxicated operators is proof that
the corps of motorcycle police
pa rolling the highways and the local
authorities have been on the sharp
watch for this class of offenders. One
If the bcst ways for driving this
menace from the highways would
rrGoub;ab bly, be in putting more teeth
ia.o the provisions of the law.
.ir. Shore believes with Governor
Batter that a mandatory jail SEN
tcrce should be attached to each con-
vct.on and that the minimum fine
rhou,d be increased; he believes also
That the license should be revoked for
three years and the provision for a
review within one year after conVlc-
ton should be repealed. Mr.. Shorcy
further believes that the license
should not be automatically returned
after three years, but that at the eX-
piraton of that period a hearing
should be held and power given the
administration officer to indefinitely
revoke the right to have an operators
license issued to a person who is so
utterly regardless of the safety of
others.
II have no criticism to make of
the courts" said Mr.. Shorey. For
the most part they are giving us
cordial cooperation, but at the same
time should like to see some uni
formity in court sentences. At the
present time the maximum fine for
reckless driving is $50. I should like
to see this increased to 800 and I
should also like to see the minimum
fine for reckless driving placed at $50.
and for speeding at SIS.
Judge Cony OF Augusta had the
fight idea when he sentenced a young
man from Belgrade who was con-
victed Of driving after his license had
been revoked, to 90 days in JAIL" Mr..
Shorey continued. Il would like to
see the Jail sentence made mandatory
for this offense."
That firmer laws would be more
respected. Is a good argument. Lax
laws no matter how we'll they are en-
forced by diligent officials. will not
prove a strong deterrent from crime.
The motorcycle police officer does not
get much encouragement when after
a hard race he catches an offender on
the highway and brings him before .
court Of justice. only to find that
there the man Is "let off easy" Mr..
Shorey in his address has raised
many points which It seems should be
considered at the coming session Of
the Legislature.