Evening star., 1924-11-12

Every driver should have a copy Of
the traffic regulations. Indeed, he
should have tWo-one to study thor
| oughly and digest at home and one
in his machine for ready reference,
This booklet Is one of the few things
about the entire traffic situation
which are free. Many drivers have a
! cursory knowledge of the regulations,
but a thorough study of them is alb
solutely necessary. The court has
been surprised. upon questioning, that
many drivers have not a copy of the
regulations, and what they know
about them has been picked up by
hearsay. Perhaps they can be classed
as self-made drivers. I believe many
of the regulations are not observed
because they are not known or that
they are not understood OF course,
as heretofore stated, stricter exam
nations should be had so that there
would be no excuse for not knowing
them.
1t Is fundamental that If one un-
derstands the reason and theory Of a
thing one has more respect and con-
tldence in it, One of the aims of the
Washington Safety Council was to ed
ucate the drivers as to the regula-
tions. 1t is indeed to be regre d
that public interest in this institu-
t -tion was so lacking that it had to
disband. 1t would seem that if mo-
torists themselves did not appreciate
I'D see the value OF its work the
PEDESTRIAN for self protection should
have continued it.
Need Safety Organization.
Some safety agency must take its
place. Whether this should be of a
public character under municipal con-
troll, like a department of safety, or
voluntary organization along the
! lines of the defunct Washington
Safety Council is immaterial, just so
there is an organization extant
preaching safety. and still more
safety.
When we consider last year 81 were
killed and 2.573 injured-and these
nsures will be around the same mar k
again this ycar-we realize the seri-
business of the situation and the ne
cessity of constant and continued
safety campaigns.
l believe we should give more at
tention to preventive justice. That is
20 say, to prevent crimes or breach
Or the statutes and regulations as
distinguished from punitive justice,
which is the penalty inflicted for the
breach of statutes and regulat ations.
And in the case of automobile regula-
tons there is no better preventive than
constant and persistent education of
drivers. so that eventually the obsery-
ance of the regulations will become
automatic.
1t Is well known that habits are
formed. Bad habits quicker than good
ones, but | believe with constant ham
merIng that the good habit of obedience
or law can be ircuicated even into the
more stubborn minds
Therefore an organization like the
Washington Safety Council could make
| It's presence felt. 1t could do il by or
ganlzation, education and agitation.
Individual Effort Ineffective.
Without an organization, formed for
a definite purpose, no lasting results
can be accomplished. Individual effort
would be wasted. 1t takes a strong or
Eanization. backed by the substantial
citizenship of any community, to accom-
pilsh set purpose.
The object Of preventive justice is
education; education as to the regula-
tons. the purpose of the regulations and
the duty of good citizens to obey ree1,-
iauons. Last. but not least agitation is