Evening star., 1925-05-24
THOUSANDS HAVE
AUTOS INSPECTED
Service Offered by Local
Dealers Under New Code
Reported Favored.

Thousa nds of District motorists
are taking advantage of the oppor-
tunity offered by the Washington
automobile dealers 10 comply with the
new traffic regulations respecting
brakes, lights. horns and other equip
ment. through the general inspection
service inauGurated last week at the
suggestion of Director of Traffic Ed
ridge. Reports from many OF the
dealers, according to Paul b. Lum,
president of the Washington Automo-
tive Trade Association, indicate that
his service is meeting with popular
favor.
As a means of cooperating with the
traffic director in the promotion of
greater safety in the streets of the
National Capital, the dealers under
took the tremendous task, Mr.. Lum
explained of inspecting same $4,000
automobiles and trucks. These in
spections, he said, are preliminary 10
stringent enforcement by the traffic
authorities of the regulations gov
erning lights, brakes, etc.
District Saves Expense.
While many of the dealers were
obliged TO go to consider kole expense
10 provide the facilities with which
TO carry on these inspections" Mr.
Lum explained, they realized they
We're relieving the District authori-
ties of a tremendous burden and a
veXatious problem, 1t would have
been almost impossible for the traffic
directors Office TO have inspected all
the cars in Washington single ha md
ed, besides imposing a sizable drain
or the District funds.
The automobile dealers are the
logical agencies 10 carry out this
part OF the traffic law, and they have
gone at it in a way that has been
gratifying to the traffic directors of
fee. In this respect, according to Mr.
Eldridge, the automobile dealers are
making distinct contribution to
greater safety in Washington.
Mr.. Lum pointed out that the auto
mobile dealers have taken decided
interest in the traffic laws from the
very beginning. When the traffic
bills were before Congress, he said,
the automobile dealers association
vigorously opposed certain sections,
such as the annual permit, low speed
on arterial highways, impounding OF
vehicles, etc, most of which were
subsequently, stricken from the law.
Inspection Not Compulsory.
Regarding the Inspections" con
tinued Mr.. Lum, car owners should
bear in mind that they are being
made at the request of the director
of traffic. They are not compulsory,
but they are advisable and every con-
Scientious car owner who pretends TO
be on the right side of the law should
have his car subjected to the inspec-
ton tests.
There are some so dealers, mem
bers Of the Washington Automotive
Trade Association, who are author
lied TO issue inspection certificates
after making such tests. These GER
titicates may be taken as an indica-
zion not only of car in perfect ad-
justment, but also of a car owner who
pretends TO abide by the traffic regu.
lations.
"A few dealers have reported some
slight misunderstanding n the part
nf a few customers with respect to
charges. The dealer is authorized to
charge IS cents as an inspection fee.
This is TO cover the cost of printing
and distributing the inspection cards.
Replacement of parts or other work
done on the car. of course, is extra
The responses on the part of most
Of the car owners who have had tests
however, are encouraging. They
have shown a willingness to cooper
ate with the dealers and the District
officials in carrying out the traffic
law.