Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-05
More Care in Observing TRAIT
fic Rules Noted Today-Em-
pIoyers Cooperate.
nv WILLIAM ULLMAN.

TImulovers. many OF them aware OF
their drivers recklessness Tor the liFst
time, pledged their wholehearted CO
oneratton In the campaign'to bring an
and 10 the depredations. Of their men.
who. in violating the traffic rules, are
running counter to the strict require
rnents of the firms for which they
drive.
Inquiry among representative bust
ness houses which operate light com
rnercial vehicle fleets revealed that
carelessness and reckleSsneSS are ma
GRAVITY at variance with the orders
given to drivers. Emphatic substantial
ton of this fact is To be found IN the
statements of officials of the WashlnS-
ton Chamber of Commerce, the Board
of Trade and Merchants ana Mahulac
rurers' Association.
Approval Is Widespread.
Heads of these three groups, which
an,hrace among their membership
virtually all the large and small OPP
orators of commercial motor VehicIes.
express unQualifledly their approval
of the campaign against the harrow
ing tactics of this class or operators.
They give assurance that the proc
lem Of facilitating the drive against
committee groups.
EMPLOYERS welcome the suggestion
Of NJ o. Eldridge, director OF trafnc,
that they invite the public TO report
any exhibition of carelessness on the
part Of their drivers.
Substantiation OF the previously
made point that employers do not toll
crate extremist driving on the part OF
their delivery men was found TO-DAY
in inquiries submitted to members or
the three large trade bodies as repre-
sentative Of the general thought OF
business firms. Those questioned de-
clared that they had strict require
ments that their drivers abide by the
spirit as well as the letter Of the traf-
fic regulations under all circum-
stances.
Obviously, it is impossible for these
firms to keep an absolute check on
the individual drivers, and all ex-
pressed themselves as heartily in IA
vor Of citizens submitting reports on
violations.
Drivers Help Is Sought.
A concrete suggestion for winning
the support of the drivers themselves
was made by George w. Ofutt, jr,
chairman of the traffic committee OF
the Board of Trade. Mr.. Ofutt pro-
poses that firms submit cards to their
drivers which will pledge them to
strict and invariable compliance with
the regulations.
"It is the individual driver and not
the firm that is at fault" says, Mr.
Offutt. 1T is the individual who
must be reached If the wave OF reck-
lessness and carefessness is to be
brought to a decisive end. Each
driver should be forced to pledge him
self to conduct himself in the inter-
est OF safety.
Not a single reputable business
concern in the city condones the tao
tics of the driver who runs counter
to the traffic regulations. They spec
ffy obedience to the law and courtesy
at all times and insist that the driver
protect life and property. If the oper'
ator, however, fails to live up to
these requirements, reports or the In
cidents will be handled with finality
and dispatch by the firms to which
they are made.
Even IL there were no humane
factor involved, business considera-
lions naturally would compel firms to
take this attitude"
Members of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association, many of
whom operate large delivery fleets.
long have been active in the interest
Of safe driving and a majority have
definite provisions that the reckless
driver be drastically punished If he
persists in his recklessness, according
to II. p. Andrews.
Welcome just Complaints.
Our association members have
been endeavoring for some time to in
struct their drivers thoroughly in the
necessity for care and courtesy on the
streets of the National Capital" said
Mr. Andrews. II am certain l speak
for them all when l say they would
welcome reports of careless driving
cases. We have discussed the matter
several times on the floor in open
meeting. and the associations stand is
firmly to oppose the slightest devta-
ton from the traffic regulations.
1T would be an excellent Idea to
have citizen cooperation in running
down this evil.
Speaking for my own firm, we try
TO impress the driver with continuing
and forceful lessons in safety. We
viii act on any reasonable report of
recklesSness by one of our drivers.
Our trucks are numbered as are those
OF other firms and the citizen who re-
ports transgression of the law or
common decency will get q hearing"
Assurance that the matter will be
laid before the traffic committee OF
the Chamber OF Commerce is given by
NJ. A. Leese, president OF the body.
There is plenty of room for inn.
provement in driving in ell parts OF
the city, but particularly in the down
town section" says Mr.. Leese. The
chamber will do all In its power to
aid, and feel that our traffic commit
zee can be decidedly helpful in remedy
ing the deplorable situation.
Reckless Blowing Scored.
THE habit of drivers In bearing
down at high speed upon pedestrians
who have a legal right of way, blow
ing their horns In re-emptory de-
Ynand for a right that belongs to
the walker. is particularly pernicious.
"There IS a definite need for a
cleanup in this respect"
Apart from any humane consider
atoms the truck driver who keeps
within the law and acts in the in
terest OF safety can contribute toward
the reduction of automobile liability
insurance rates, IL is pointed out by
insurance officials.
"Rates are based on experience, and
where experience indicates that com :
mercial vehicles figure in an exces =
sive number of accidents, companies
are hampered in their desire to re-
duce premiums" says Spencer b
Curry, vice president OF the Great
National Insurance Co, with head
quarters here.
"The situation is identical with
the case Of the passenger vehicle,
he edds.
The definite position of commercial
houses against the menace created
by the light delivery car driver is
reflected in the approval of the cam
FhAt