Smyrna times., 1927-06-08
RULING ON STATE MOTOR LAWS
HITS DRUNKEN DRIVERS HARD
SECRETARY OF STATE ENDEAv-
ORS TO MAKE LAW EFFECTIVE
Drunken Drivers in Delaware Will
Have Difficulty in Getting Their
Licenses Renewed in the Future

Drunken Drivers IN Delaware Will
Have Difficulty in Getting Their
Licenses Renewed in the Future
New teeth are being placed in auto
mobile laws of Delaware through the
efforts of Charles H. Grantland, Sec
retary of State, and his assistants in
the auto department of his office. If
the plans launched work out as sue
cessfully as Mr. Grantland hopes, the
mscrupulous automobile dealer and
the Indifferent drunken driver are des-
tined for hard times. The drunken
driver is going to feel the weight Of
the influence Of the Secretary of
States office to prevent him from
Haunting motor laws of the State 1t
is Mn Grantland's plan to check up
on these drunken drivers. At this
time a classification list is being pre-
pared containing the names, number
of the car, operators license and 9th
er details that would identify a car
of which the owner has been convict
ed of driving While intoxicated This
list will comprise motorists who have
lost their license since June, 1920, for
driving while drunk With this list
in hand, all magistrates and state
highway policemen will be able TO de-
tect anyone who might be another Of
fender if he is driving when the laws
Of the state prescribe that he should
rot. Hereafter when a man is con
victed of driving while intoxicated
and loses his license, any state high.
way policeman who observes that car
being driven will be directed to stop
it and ascertain who the driver IS. In
some sections Of the state, motorists
have had their licenses revoked for
intoXication and then through their
attorney have taken an appeal. Pend
ing this appeal to the court they have
continued to drive their cars. 1t is
the idea of Mr.. Grantland to make a
test-case in this connection and de-
termine whether pneding court ap-
peal a drunken driver can continue to
drive his car. In some parts of the
state magistrates have allowed a mo-
toriSt accused of being intoxicated to
post his own bail bond Of 800. Many
times he has never returned and
that's all there Is Of it. Hereafter all
such cases must be reported to the
Secretary of State. In other instanc-
es certain town officials who have
powers have fined persons
accused of driving while drunk, but
have not notified the Secretary of
State In these cases the man or
woman continues to drive their ma
chine the same as usual. But the
most drastic of all in this effort to
protect sober motorists using Della
ware highways, is the determination
of Mr. Grantland to fully examine
and investigate all cases of drunken
drivers. Heretofore, when a man was
Of driving while intoxicated,
his license was taken for twelve
and then upon his request, q
new license was issued. As he views
it now. however, this will be a diff
fcult privilege to obtain by the habit
ual drinked In other words, if the
of State reaches the conclu-
sion that man penaliZed for driving
while drunk intends to continue that
DEdCIlC6y il6 Will IISNCI SGL clllObLiCA ~
ense. In the future every magistrate
and state policeman will be officially
of every person accused of
driving while drunk so that there may
be no alibis in the form of protection. !
A special Investigator has been added !
to the force in the automobile depart /
ment of the Secretary of States office
whose duty it will be among others to /
every drunken driver case. |
This information will be placed before /
the Secretary of State for his consid- !
Grafton and from this he will decide |
a man convicted Of driving |
while drunk happens to be the victim /
Of an unintentional over-indulgence .
OF whether he is a habitual drinker. I
While refusing to comment on what |
he will do in case he learns the man
is a consistant drinker, and does not |
hesitate to drive while under the in
fuence, friends of Mr.. Grantland be-
Lieve that he will do everything in his |
power to protect the rights of sober
passing through Delaware.