Evening star., 1924-11-18

There are no. minor" traffic regu-
lations. While. II Is true that some
are more important than others, all
are promulgated with the view in
mind. Of obviating some condition.
which, IL not corrected, would be-
come troublesome. annoying, If not
dangerous. So closely are most Of
the regulations linked that it has
been observed that the non-observ-
ance of one generally leads to a
breach OF others. A chain Is no
stronger than IT'S weakest link.
We have been considering regula-
tions concerning THE operation Of the
car. But there are many which deal
with the car itself before 1t can be
operated. AS has been stated. no car
can be legally operated unless the
driver has secured permit 80 to do.
and an examination is necessary be-
fore one is granted.
Section 1 Of the regulations deals
with identification tags. of which
two are required, one to be placed
In front of the car and the other on
|. the back IN such q way that the
light shines. thereon to make 1t visi !.
Bile for distance of 40 feet behind
the vehicles This is necessary for
the purpose of giving the officer, or
person injureds a chance to get a
peep at the number, If possible. That
IF possible" Is very pertinent.
Regulation Of Tags.
1t also makes provision for tags
for vehicles for hire, and for tour
lists who have other tags. No more
than three Identification tags can be
on any vehicle. Tags must be kent
clean. unbent and in an undamaeed
condition. This Is also to aid the
police. Numbers cannot be trans
ferred from one vehicle to another.
nor can they be loaned by one to
another. Dealers are allowed dem
onstration numbers. In case of lose.
mntilation or destruction of any
metal Identification number. II should
be reported to the superintendent of
licenses within "a hours. A new
namber will be issued.
regulation which Is not generally
understood. nor observed, is the one
"hlch requires the securing Of new
tags every time the car Is trans
terred or sold. The law requires that
Immediately upon transfer of owner
snip OF any motor vehicle the person
IN whose name the motor vehicle is
registered shall remove the identi-
ncatton tags therefrom and shall re-
turn them to the superintendent of
license and shall report to him the
name. residence and business address
OF the new. ewner Tags are issued
Tor the owners of the car and not
to the car itself. This Is the wav
the owner is identified.
Thus IL car be sold several time
and retain its old tag il will readily
be seen how difficult it would be to
trace the new owner. with the old
tag still out. Second hand dealers
In cars. and dealers generally who
take OLD cars in exchange, could be
OF great assistance to the police In
helping to enforce this regulation,
Cases have been known, however
where they have been so anxious TO
make a sale. or they do not want
TO lose sale by mentioning any fac
tor which requires additional labor
and expense. Ofttimes the purcha ser
Is under the impression that the Ia e
is part of the sale. Wrong tags are
kncwn in police parlance as dead
tags. and when they see one they
immed ately became suspicious
Fraud In Identification.
Identification tags must be issued
In the true name of owners Of
vehicles for which the tags are in
tended. and any attempt to obtain
one in other than the true name
or attempt to obtain one by misrepre-
sentation or fraud is punisha BILE by
fine up to 800.
Provision is also made relative to
tourists and non-residents who are
exempt from payment OF license and
registration fees, upon complying
with certain regulations relative to
registering with the superintendent of
police within three days after coming
into the District OF Columbia. Garage