Evening star., 1928-02-05
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

to be considered. For that reason
it is his duty and that of the Po-
lice Department to rope off enough
streets and provide enough po-
licemen. In Washington 1t will be
only for a few days year at the
most. Mr.. Harland at present in
tends to leave the matter up to
the captains of the various pre-
cinctS to use their discretion. 1t
is to be hoped that their diScre-
tion will be wise.
A few people. unmindful of their
youth. will raise objections to hav-
ing streets roped off in front of
their homes. 1t would be We'll
that the police remain unmindful
Of these examples of pure selfish
ness. A policeman could call of
the coasters for a few moments
while the motoriSt could make his
way to his garage In case of
sickness other streets could be
substituted.
There have been few complaints
to date over children hitching
their sleds on behind vehicles. but
many violations of this regulation
have been noticed. Parents should
warn their children against this
practice because it is very danger
Gus. Often the driver is unaware
that a child has hitched on to his
machine. and a sudden stop or
Swerve would prove disastrous.
Fun is not fun if it is that dan
gerouS.
Chains should be placed on all
automobiles if they are to travel
along snow-froZen streets. Not
only will this prevent stalling. but
will tend TO great extent to pre-
vent accidents. No brake will
work on ice. and therefore it
should be mandatory for all mo-
florists to have on at least two
sets of chains when driving
through snow.
Many violations of common
sense were noted during the last
snowfall. Driving with chains
should be done with the utmoc.
care. Chains do not provide per-
feet immunity from skidding. al
though many operators seem to
think so. Careful driving with
chains will, however. protect the
motorist from accidents. but heed
less driving will not.
Important Recommendations.
Several important amendments
to the traffic regulations as passed
by Congress are being recon-
mended to the Gibson subcom-
nlittee by William H. Harland,
director of traffic. and his assist
ant, NJ o. Eldridge One would
provide for making it obligatory
for each person in any motor ac-
cident TO fill out form and send
it in to the nearest precinct. Here
tofore it was necessary only 10
make ones identity known. AS
a result. many persons in minor
accidents would exchange cards
and drive off. 1t is believed that
better check-up can be obtained
by the Traffic Bureau by the sus-
gested method.
The Traffic Bureau also would
amend the speed regulation where
it becomes compulsory for the Po-
lice Court judge TO impose jail
sentence upon the offender con-
victed for the third time in an in
definite period. The Traffic Bu-
reau believes time limit of three
years should be fixed. and then a
jail sentence should be left to the
discretion of the court. Mr.. El-
bridge points out that man who
has exceeded the speed limit by
few miles per hour within 10 or
20 years is not necessarily a reck-
less driver.
A change in the regulation max
ing it compulsory for the courts
10 impose a jail sentence for the
first conviction of driving while
under the influences Of liquor will
be made II the recommendation
10 the subcommittee go through.
Mr. Eldridge believes this sentence
should be left to the discretion OF
The Judge. He points out that a
man who Is arrested for a minor
traffic violation and has the smeli
Of whisky on his breath due TO one
or two drinks IS not in the class
with man violently intoxicated
who tears down the street. en-
@"n~"ring the lives and property
Of others.
Will Not Convict.
II is further pointed out that
in many cases the jury, while be-
lieving the defendant guilty. will
not convict when the court has no
discretion in the matter and has
70 impose a jail sentence. This,
Mr.. Eidridge states. has caused
the acquittal of many cases. and
there is no police or traffic record
against the man. On the other
hand, he says. II the Judge had a
hand in the affair. the jury would
convict more often. and a record
against the defendant would be
established.
II does seem that the Judge
should have some say In the
matter.