Evening star., 1928-12-16

speeding on Marcn ~, 1871, ana reCk-
less driving in July 8, 1927, and again
for reckless driving on october "a, 1927,
then some incident were to occur
where Mr.. Eldridge might want to know
what kind of driver he had been In the
past, all he would have to do would be
to call for certain card. Thereon
inscribed would be the exact number
of times ne had been arrested, etc.
Dangerous Driver.
Now as time went on. and there
piled I'D against some of these names
a considerable record of offenses COM
mitted, and there continued to be a
steady increase in fatal auto accidnts,
as we'll as others involving serious in
juries to people. property damage. etc,
it became increasingly evident to the
officials Of the Traff1c Department that
something must be done ebout drivers
who displayed continuous disregard for
the safety and rights of others. They
proceeded to work under the reason
able theory that If a man has been
caught speeding on several occasions,
under the law Of averages, he must
speed often. They came to the con-
ciusion that speeder is unable to stop
on short notice-which Is often neces-
sary on crowded city streets, there
fore. che" is a dangerous driver.
Also, If person has been convicted
of reckless driving on more than one
occasion, then he must be dangerous
driver.
Accordingly, there were dispatched to
all persons-shown by the records to be
of the type driver mentioned above-a
summary demand to appear in the Of
fee of Assistant Traffic Director M. G.
Eldridge, at q certain time and date,
and show reasonable cause, II any, why
their permits should not be taken away
from them and why they should not
he prohibited from further operation OF
a motor vehicle in the District OF Co
lumbia
Letters we're also sent to all persons
who had been convicted of numerous
small violations of the traffic code.
suggesting that they call on . certain
date at Mr. Eldridge's office.
They were subjected to a questioning
and thorough examination concerning
the traffic regulations. The idea Is to
try and ascertain their viewpoint and
knowledge of trafic regulations.
The expressed intention OF the Of
ficials of the traffic directors office in
Adopting this plan is to try to remove
a many potentially dangerous drivers
as possible from the streets.
Men in the District best qualified tc
offer criticism concerning traffic condi-
tions are the policemen who are or
duty directing traffic. Last week in
terviewed quite q few of these brother
officers Of mine who "do" direct traffic
every day, with the result that found
them, without exception, in favor ci
the aforementioned plan which has
been put into vogue by the heads OF
the trafic directors office. Also. !
may add that I, too with proper dis
count for my somewhat limited expert
ence), approve heartily of this plan. l
cannot see how any show of idignatio1
could be predicated reasonably on behalf
of a chronic offender against the rules
of safe driving who has been taken
sharply to task, After all: the safety,
Of others Is the primal motive back OF
the PRONUNCIATION of almost every traf-
fic regulation.
So If a man has shown by past acts
that he is careless of the safety OF
others, then 1 think in company with
a majority Of my brother officers, that
1t is high time something was done
about regulating his acts in the future.
OF course, as some people contended,
he may have been dealt with by the
law concerning each separate offense
already, and that when person has
been punished once for an offense
against the law he should be free from
any further penalties.
Ridiculous Argument.
That, to my mind, is about as ridicu-
lous an argument as could be offered.
When an engineer of railroad dis
regards or fails to notice safety sig
nal. 1t may have been the first one he
ever disregarded since he has been an
engineer or 1t may be true that no one
was hurt or no damage suffered due to
his lapse. but nevertheless he is in
stantly dismissed from the employ of
that railroad, the theory being that
where the lives and safety of others are
concerned no amount of care is too
much; also that only by increasing vigi-
lance and visiting inexorable punish
ment on those who are guilty OF even
one lapse. where the safety of others is
concerned. can they hope to impress In