Evening journal., 1923-01-23
WOULD make
AUTOING SAFER
Proposed State Law Pro.
vides Fines for Reckless
Driving
PEDESTRIANS
MUST BE CAREFUL


would impose penalties for "reck-
less driving" rather than for speed" )"
fs urged by the Delaware Safety
Council in a series of suggestions
made to the General Assembly.
These suggestions have resulted
from the passage OF joint resolu-
tion, introduced by Senator Hardesty
and calling for data from citizens.
societies and organizations inter-
ested in lettering the conditions OF
motor traffic.
1t IS declared the present speed
law Is antiquated, ineffective, nom
enforced and non-enforcable in parts.
As a substitute a law is urged which
would contain a prohibition against
driving recklessly, or at a speed
j. greater than Is reasonable and
proper, having regard to the
width, traffic and use Of highway,
the intersection OF streets. weather
conditions. the weight OF the vehicle
and the condition of its brakes, or
so as TO have caused a collision with
: the person or property of another.
or so as 10 endanger the life or hmb
OF another"
j. This law should also have. It is
suggested, a section defining rates.
speeds in excess OF which. when
maintained for one-quarter mile,
will be prima facle evidence OF reck
less driving. For the rates. Il IS
recommended in the case OF ordi-
nary motor cars. 25 miles per hour
where buildings average less than
100 feet apart, and SO miles per hour
elsewhere.
Limiting rates for heavier We
hicles should be suggested by the
state Highway Department" the
Council says The law should
state that Il does not interfere with
: the power of incorporated cities.
towns and municipalities TO fix their
own speed limits. provided they do
not exceed those fixed by the State.
are within the bounds OF what Is
reasonable and proper TO both safety
and expediting the movement of
vehicular traffic. and provided the
existence Of such rates Is clearly in
dicated by a sufficient number OF
; legible signs. Violations OF these
rates should also be prima facie evil
dence OF reckless driving"
The purpose OF this suggested
change In the law governing speed
rates is that many accidents are the
result OF pure recklessness and not
necessarily OF speed.
An increase In the fine for reck-
less driving Is also recommended. !
: The Council believes that the pres
ent fine OF $40 has little corrective
value. and Il urges that courts and |
magistrates should be given power
20 impose heavy penalties. Sug-
gested penalties are a fine OF not
less than s35 OF more than 500 or |
2 Imprisonment for not more than |
thirty days or both. for the first Of |
fense. and from 5000 $500 or I'M I
tprisonment for one year or both for |
the second offense.
Another suggestion discussed at /
y length By the Council in its written 4
recommendation is that OF the es-
tablishment of a Motor Vehicle De-
partment. II characterizes this as
the most effective change that could
be made in Delaware" and points
out that such change would have a
far reaching effect since Il would
centralize and fix responsibility for
proper law enforcement, for the col
lection and disbursement OF funds
accruing from registrations fines, etc.
and would most certainly work for
improved traffic conditions on the
highways and towards greater safety
for the users of them.
other suggestions include the
recommendation OF the enactment OF
g law whereby any pedestrian who
shall use any street or highway neg
ngentiy or recklessly. or who shall
wilfully refuse or neglect 10 obey the
signal OF any traffic officer. or who
shall rtcklessly disregard his own
safety OF the safety Of any person
by the manner OF his use of any
street or highway, shall be fined not
less than two nor more than twenty
five dollars for each offense.
The Council urges that in the case
Of a professional driver (chauffeur.
paid driver. etc.), applying for his
first license, there be an examination
made OF the fitness of the applicant
20 drive with safety, requiring him
10 demonstrate his ability 10 drive
with reasonable proficiency, his
knowledge of the important require
ments OF the law and OF the local
traffic ordinances. familiarity with
the mechanism of the vehicle suf-
fcient TO permit safe operation, and
his ability 10 speak and understand
English and read ordinary road
signs. Another recommendation Is
that a special form OF paid drivers
license be issued for drivers OF pub
lie service vehicles (buses. taxicabs,
and other common carriers). subject
to the same conditions. but with the
further proviso that they be required
to furnish satisfactory evidence that
they have no criminal record.
The council suggests that the pro-
vision for the issuance of a family
license" be repealed. and also the
license exemption of State, county.
municipal and hospital employees
contained in the same section.
The present law makes no pro-
vision for those learning to drive.
and the council urges the adoption
of an amendment permitting unIi-
censed persons over Is years of age.
who have not had their license re-
fused, revoked or suspended, to op- =
crate a motor vehicle outside an in
corporated city or town for a period
Of six months. when under the in
struction of and accompanied by
licensed operator. who shall be in
the front seat of the vehicle and
ehall be in control of and shall as
etfroe full responsl hflffv for ffs on !