New Britain herald., 1927-05-25
X NEW LAW WITH TEETH

Consideration of the workings of the compulsory automobile insur- ance law in Massachusetts, which a large number Of states are expected to follow in year or two, it be- comes evident that a way is being found 10 deal strongly with reck- less automobile driving due to in toXication at the wheel.
 Courts have been dealing out jus tice in the form of "heavy fines" and sometimes jail terms to intoxi- catcd drivers, but despite all that they have done so far the fool at the wheel" still remains a menace 10 honest and efficient drivers who take their avocation earnestly enough to keep themselves fit when they are steering the modern jug gernauts.
 ii- -'itS iuS'ljS IGtN, IlON tNbI, works more drastically than the courts. Its working in this respect, indeed. was scarcely suspected at the time the law was passed
 Recently a liability, insurance company refused 10 sell automobile insurance to man who was charged with having driven a car while drunk. The man had not been arrested for the offense. nor had he ever been convicted of any other offense. The company merely learned that the man had driven a car while drunk. or nearly drunk. That was enough. Acting upon it's information it refused to do busi- ness with him; and as all the com- panies ,have centralized records where the record of everyone is kept, it means that the man can- not get automobile insurance and hence cannot drive a car in Massa- chusetts.
 Of course, the man went before the state board of appeal. which has Jurisdiction over the granting of automobile licenses, and there a de- cision was handed down sustaining the liability company. This now is q precedent in the state.
 Tn all cases where persons are found to be unsounl liability risks the companies have the privilege of cancellation on the one hand or flat refusal to insure on the othcr,' enunciated the board.
 But suppose liability company and the appeals board disagree about an applicant: suppose inc lia- bility company will not grant the ""'N''io''i' ilH"' '"i'' ana ille hOaTn says it ought to be granted. Mani testly, under tho law. the liability company cannot be forced 10 grant the liability. and the motorists only recourse is to deposit securities or cash with the state as d bond: but tn" mnrbor of auto owners ahlo or willing to do this would be nccrs- sarily small
 Some Massachusetts "litors think this is giving the liability companies too much power. All agree. however. that the practice Of driving while drunk is moraccl seriously. and that this is greatly in tho interest of the public which for a long time has been worried over a method to discourage reckless driving.
 If the state itself goes into th" liability business is policy no doubt wonil not d5ff"r materially from those of the priyat" companies; the state rates might be lower. but it is doubtful whether the standards would be lowered.
 The nub Of th" case is this: The statr rtu make auto iuSuranc" com pulsory but it cannot force the lia- bllity compdnl's 10 suffer losses by taking on any drunken and reckless Tom, Dick and Harry willing 10 pay the price for liability insurance. If the Massachusetts law spreads to