Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-10
Motorist Solvencv,

Advocates Of compulsory financial
liability for motorists will find encour-
agement in the rapid spread of the
plan. Massachusetts, has rounded out
its first year with a drastic compulsory
insurance law. which has proved sue
cessful from every standpoint. and ways
and means are being discussed In many
States 10 adopt similar law. New
York is the latest TO take up the cudgels
on behalf Of the innocent victim OF an
insolvent motorists carelessnesS or
reckleSsness. In message TO the Leg
islature. Gov. Smith urges that a COM
mission be appointed 10 delve into the
various means of assuring financial re-
sponsibility for every driver of motor
car. The governor was actuated in his
request by a report of distinguished
members OF the judiciary system of the
State, which reads. in part, as follows:
Only seventeen per cent of the per-
sons taking out motor vehicle licenses
in this State carry insurance covering
damages inflicted by the motor vehicles
operated by them. As prudent and
solvent owners are most likely TO carry
insurance. careless and insolyent own
ers are most likely TO be found among
the eighty-three per cent who carry no
liability insurance. 1t is a natural re-
suit. therefore. and a common expe-
rience. that after all the delay and ex-
pense incident to suit for injuries
the party at fault Is frequently found
judgment proof and withou. means.
In that paragraph is the significant
and pointed reason for the enactment
OF law for financial responsibility for
motorists in every State in the Union
and the District Of Columbia. The eau
tious and responsible motorist inva-
riably carries insurance. but the care
less or reckless one sees no necessity for
1t, and when the latter type is involved
in an accident the victim. II he is in
jured. pays his own hospital bills. or.
II he is killed his funeral expenses are
paid by his survivors.
It is q regrettable thing that opposi-
ton to compulsory financial liability is
50 widespread among various interests.
A striking aspect OF the matter Is that
the very individuals who are opposed
TO the plan would not consider for a
single instant being without liability in
surance themselves. The plan is OPP
posed by automobile interests. because
they believe 1t will offer a sales resist
anee; insurance interests oppose it in
some cases because they believe 1t will
eventually be State proposition: while
national motoring organizations oppose
it because It adds to the cost OF operat-
ing an automobile. But the individuals
who speak for these organizations are.
with few exceptions, possessors OF Habil-
ity insurance in their own names. prac-
ticing. therefore. not what they preach.
but what they believe is best for their
own business interests.
Sooner or later every notorist In the
, United States will have TO demonstrate
financial liability for accidents he may
cause before he Is allowed 10 purchase
license tag. This protection for him
self and others will add but a small
sum 70 the cost Of owning and operat-
Ing an automobile, but will do giants
work for justice on the highways of the
country. Public opinion will not toll
crate much longer the reckless. careless
and the insolvent. 1t will demand, In
these days OF teeming millions Of auto
mobiles. that they be operated by eau
| tiouE, sober, reliable and solven. drivers.