Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-12-28
New Auto Risk pian Offered.
From Baltimore Sun of Friday.

From Baltimore Sun of Friday.
A substitute for the proposed compulsory
insurance law for motorists has been for
warded to the legislative committee Of the
Automobile Club of Maryland. by H M.
Lucius. secretary. 1t probably will be in
troduced in the coming General Assembly
A compulsory automobile insurance bill
was defeated by the last legislature.
The proposed measure. according to Mr..
Lucius, would pledge each motorist to
liability not exceeding $500 for property
damage or $4,000 for personal injury or
death. The penalty for failure to meet
the pledged liability within ninety days
would be permanent revocation of the
motorists operating license.
The reason for advancing the proposal.
Mr.. Lucius said yesterday. is to prevent
the introduction of another compulsory
insurance measure. which has been called
a failure after two years trial in Massa-
chusetts.
Massachusetts has been the laboratory
and testing ground for the motoring fallacy
and it has fallen down in every detail"
Mr.. Lucus asserted. ut has failed to de-
crease accidents it has penalized all au-
tomobile owners in the commonwealth by
prejuding them liable for accident; it has
given rise to vast amount of crookedness
and petty swindlins through false claims
it has nearly driven insurance companies
crazy with myriads of Investigations Of
claims without foundation. until one Of the
leading companies of the State has refused
to write any more of this insurance it has
caused recklessness to greater degree
than ever before. and. finally. it has
aroused the ire and antagonism of all re-
responsible citizens. because it is meas
ure Of compulsion without basis Of justice
it can be likened to a court which forces
all citizens to pay fines in advance. just in
case they should do something wrong and
be judged guilty"
Mr.. Lucius declared that he believed his
plan would accomplish the very thing in
which compulsory insurance has failed"
To operate his plan. the legislature would
have to force each operator to file with
the Commissioner Of Motor Vehicles a new
application fos license with the following
clause inserted:
hereby agree to hold myself financially
responsible up to the sum of $4,000. so
long as permit to operate an automobile
is granted me, for the specific purpose Of
paying any damages that may be awarded
in the event am wholly responsible for
an accident resulting in damage to prop
erty not exceeding $500 and personal in
jury or death not exceeding $4,000.
An amendment to the motor vehicle
laws would give the commissioner power to
revoke the drivers license permanently in
the event the operator fails to pay
the damages. The clerks of the courts.
upon entering final judgment, would notify
the commissioner of the action and then.
if the damages are paid within ninety
days, the operator would be reinstated.
The advantages obtained from this meas
ure. in Mr.. Lucius' opinion. would be:
Voluntary insurance for those not finan-
cially responsible would be taken out in
fear Of losing their licenses.
Minors would obtain financial sponsors,
who would impress the necessity of careful
driving upon that operator.
Chauffeurs would be careful not to en-
danger their means OF livelihood, and upon
finding that the type of paid chauffeurs
was elevated greater demand would
follow for their services.
Automobile owners paying for their cars
on the partial payment plan would be
more careful in operating since they could
hardly afford chauffeurs.
Motorists from other States would drive
more carfully, since Maryland would not
grant them reciprocity here in the event
Of accidents in the State for which they
are liable.
The proposal would possibly prevent
another compulsory automobile law-regu-
lar inspection of automobiles under super
vision of authorities. The owner, under
the proposed law. would voluntarily see
that his automobile is mechanically perfect.
My proposal strikes only at the reckless
and irresponsible operator" Mr. Lucius
continued. who never considers for mo-
ment what sorrow he may cause by his
mistakes. And. after all. these two are
the real menaces Of motordom.
II believe that this plan would have the
effect. first, of cutting down accidents and
OF encouraging safe and sane driving It
also would insure the payment of damages
in nearly all cases. That is the order OF the
two aims in the matter Of importance. and
yet compulsory insurance aimed first. last
and always at settlement Of damages,
leaving the Other-and most important
contingency wide open. Any plan of this
kind that does not aim first and foremost
at reduction Of accidents is failure at its
outset
II maintain that this plan has this effect.
1t is true that It strikes first for RESPONSE
bility, but 1t has the effect Of causing
carefulness and responsibility first of ALL
Death OF Asa N. Stabler.