The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-05-01
Should Traffic Laws and Hints
Be Taught in Public Schools
and Elsewhere? !
Bv BILL PRICE.

Two of our police judges engaged in handling trouble
some traffic collisions where the testimony is so con-
ctng that practically impossible to determine response
by expressed the view that the teaching of traffic
laws public high schools would be helpful In
the solution traffic and arriving at the true facts
when dangerous accidents They even go further and
would traffic instruction ordered in the graded
schools.
and expert advice which result widespread famar
y problems the judges of the police court find
woeu ignorance the part Of the public
summoned witnesses in codng and other cases. None OF
alike they knew the rules
Of driving well and alert and keenly observant it
would be difficult in the view Of court Officials to arrive
at the facts in most cases.
"Catch young and teach em right is the suggestion
Of wise judge who has had much experience In traffic
Under careless driving serious offense
just speeding It is going be difficult for the
convictions this ground where witnesses
uniformed traffic laws and entirely unconcerned
Drs dS . 1 d 5 before got into o
enacted, when killings and maimings Of human beings
were daily occurrences The public was ncensed is true
courts in convicting the guilty.
All the legal machinery of the District Government is now
IN motion toward making life and limb safer in this city
The traffic police and the courts must have intelligent
operation Of the public that public expects to enjoy
is true that the greatest ignorance prevails among
thousands Of drivers Of They familiar with
20 be necessary for the director Of traffic slowly tighten
the requirements to drivers That imperative in the
interest. become necessary
the stringent laws that prevail fail to accomplish the
results expected by Congress and the people Of the District
much greater safety and marked 1essenng in the numbers
Of serious auto accidents.
United States army statistics gathered during the with
Germany established the appalling fact that large per-
cenage Of drafted had the minds Of children
Of six years Of age Such might fight but
couldn't be entrusted with matter Of vital responsibility
Virtually anybody get permit to drive in the
District thousands Of them without the education
read and understand the most simple traffic regulations
laws.
Traffic schools Of instruction may become public necessity
later Traffic instructions in high schools and the
upper grades Of the graded schools ought to be Of great aid in
the enforcement Of laws and bettement Of conditions Much
viii depend whether the general public will cooperate
with the law and upon whether the present laws and regu
tons really work out for the benefit Of the community
benefit must be marked too.
Probably the most impressive thing about the new law will
be the jail sentences which the judges the public
the for speeders and others Many driver knows
little and little will think and long when he
gets behind the bars Of Jail for speeding It might
possible to educate him in school, but the jail will be lesson
ne won't forget In the meantime though his speeding NAV
6 njure innocent people and destroy property
Judge HIT has made the repeated tina
third conviction for speeding equivalent Jail sentence
sentences under these circumstances That will painful
and humang Of educating drivers especially young
and impetuous future drivers given in
suction along with other studies the imposition Jail SEN
fences may not be numerous.