The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-16
Only Drastic Traffic Laws Will
Solve District Traffic Evils
By BILL PRICE.

BY BILL PRICE.
subcommittee of the Senate District Committees
earnestly working bring the passage at this
session of Congress Of drastic legislation that will reduce in
the future the serious traffic disasters that are giving Wash
gton bad record record which Congress is responsible
Tor in its past failures to enact the necessary legislation to
curb deliberate and dangerous offenders and put respect
for law and for the rights of other people in their hearts
There Is not the slightest question that traffic and
lack the punch that makes traffic offenders give
thought to what they doing Our collateral system makes
for and to repeatedly violate the laws
to speeding reckessness running down pedestrians and
then running away and driving while intoxicated There
no central place of record that tells the story frequent
violations by any
Our lack Of sufficient number Of police judges and
prosecuting officers prevents the speedy trials Of offenders
The imposition of fines accompishes little Jail sentences
stiff at that together with revocation drivers licenses
are essential to the making of life in Washington from
auto killers and manners.
This newspaper has already pointed some of the unda
mental things necessary to improve conditions and under
stands that the committees of Congress giving these rec
concentrations careful consideration We have every
to believe that when Congress does get through framing and
enactng legislation it will have put punch into future
laws confer upon the District Commissioners the
right to frame regulations that will be something in
controlling the lawless element that running away with
things.
There has brought to our attention the legislation
rules and regulations relating to motor vehicles and drivers in
Massachusetts, The claim is made that Massachusetts, by
reason OF its drastic laws and regulations has fewer accidents
than other State in the country We take the liberty
OF presenting of the main features Of
laws Tor the information of Congress and of the people of
s Guy VINO are so deeply interested in lesening the traffic
dangers they confront:
OF Wer
to revoke drivers licenses hearings certificates
OF registration of a
Every court and trial justice is required to keep full
record of every in which person is charged with
traffic violations and abstract of such record must be
sent forthwith to the registrar These abstracts made
upon certain forms The registrar keep records
IN his Office open to the public The registrar has the power
to summon witnesses administer oaths take testimony
we'll dispositions
The registrar and does appoint competent persons to act
and examiners These people have the powers
OF consables They investigate any accident records
81
The chief police officer of every city and town must notify
the registrar upon blanks furnished with particulars of every
accident and request Of the registrar revoke licenses
ANY person convicted of operating motor vehicle after
his license to operate has been revoked or aer notice Of
pension or after the certificate registration for vehicle
been suspended or revoked heavily punished by fine
prisonment or both.
ment Tor term OF not less than two weeks years
or both shall be imposed upon conviction for operating
follows:
Recklessy which includes either speeding at slow speed
careessy colding with pedestrians other vehicles
While under the influence of liquor First offense For
second or third cttenses far more severe imprisonment vo
of license, etc.,
Upon bet or wager in a race
Going away after knowingly colding with or causing in
jury to any person vehicle without stopping making known
name residence and number Of motor vehicle
Driving without permit loaning license anybody else
making false statements in an application mpersonating
Others
Giving fictitious names and addresses is serious ffen
in Massachusetts, and yet every criminal in Washington
Guiding several thousand unconved booeggers obtain reg
istration of automobiles and drivers permits nndr
and addresses thereby defeating the aims of the law
and getting false shelter from police investigation
These same criminals, if caught in violation Of District
traffic laws put up collateral at police station and never
appear court They offend often being arrested in diff
frent police precincts There central place court or
otherwise where they be required appear so long
as they permitted to put up and forfeit collateral
Public garages required to keep records of every
hce which enters and leaves forms being provided for this
Manufacturers and dealers must also keep records.
Massachusetts laws drastic in requiring
Automobile drivers to slow down and sound horn on an
preaching travelled nterectng ways
which the view may be INSTRUCTED ~
To slow down and turn propery-no run right
upon pedestrians and blow horns late to give warning
The laws quite stringent in many matters of minor
details such improper and improperly adjusted HEADLIGHTS
keeping number plates clean lighted, etc
And in addition to the laws the State supplies educational
and informative pamphlets to and drivers telling
them the things they should know urging that they read