Evening star., 1923-01-31
OFFICIALS CLUB
RECKLESS DRIVERS
WITH "MAXIMUM'
Continued from First PaEe)

tions have not been approved by the
Commissioners.
Commissioner Keller's letter indi-
Gated that they probably would be
approved. although they have re-
celved only lukewarm support from
the police department and have been
declared by some persons to contain
! few important changes over the citv's
present traffic laws
While the public has been demand
ing stringent enforcement of laws to
control speed maniacs and careless
drivers, with the imposition OF jail
sentences even for first offenders in
aggravated cases. the list of regula-
tions made public today as the recon-
mendations Of the Commissioners
committee do not stipulate any def
mite sentences for violations
Folder Plan Favored.
The suggestion of William P. Emo.
chairman of the committee, for the
city to distribute folders containing
a digest of the traffic regulations to
drivers, pedestrians and schools re-
ceived enthusiastic support from all
quarters today. But there was gem
eral complaint that the law should
be laid down more specifically, es-
pecially as regards speeding, and that
the sentences courts are permitted to
impose should be plainly printed on
all such folders.
Complaint was heard that the sug-
gested regulations even soften what
has always been regarded as one of
the most important laws governing
motor vehicles-the necessity of Civ
ing a definite signal before turning
or backing. Article VI of the COM
mittees recommendation reads as fol-
lows:
DRIVERS must signal by hand or by
some other effective method before
c1n OF
ing and before turning. especially to
the left"
This wording is regarded as more
or less relieving the driver Of the OBJ
to turn to the right. The same regu-
lation merely orders drivers to "go
slow when crossing crosswalk.
Reckless Driving Defined.
Article defines reckless driving as
falling to have car under "practi-
cal control" driving without authori-
zation or when not qualified to do so !;
falling to exercise due care or violat-
ing any of the regulations so as to
cause danger. Article II makes it COM
pulsory for drivers who are to make
q right-hand turn to keep close to
the curb and those who are to make
a left-hand turn to maintain a course
in the center Of the street. 1t also
instructs slower vehicles to keep close
to the right hand turn.
Article III, which governs parking.
stopping. following and backing. makes
one change by permitting motorists to
park for an unlimited length of time in
any place that is not otherwise pla-
carded The only other important change
would permit parking only at the right
hand curb on two-way streets, and not
at all IL it blocks traffic.
Irticle w makes no vital change in
the law directing motorists to pass
street cars on the right, and article v
suggests no important improvements
over the present regulation governing
the right OF way. The man on the right
has the right of way, as usual, and fire
engines ambulances and other special
conveyances are granted the right Of
d. oceeding from either direction.
Article VII makes restrictions re-
garding all vehicles which would not
AFFECT most motorists and article
VIII relates only to horse-drawn
vehicles
Recommendations Fall Short.
The most general criticism Of the
recommendations Of the Commission
ers' committee is that they do not
go far enough, that they are too
weak to bring about the changes
this city needs so badly. Any hope
Of lettering the traffic menace
through = campaign OF education