Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
SAFETY-RESPONSIBLITY LAWS
HELP SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEM
Provide Valuable Experience in Nation 5
Question for Solution of Reckless
Driver Issue

known, such other violations as corsti-
tute cause for suspension or revocation
of licenses in the State. conviction
of an offense in any other State which,
If committed in this State, would be
violation of any of the aforesaid pro-
visions Of the motor vehicle laws of
this State.
It has been charged that the legis-
lation might be used by the police as
a weapon to compel motorists indis-
criminately to assume financial respor1-
sibility by the threat of suspension Of
license because Of petty offenses against
the motor vehicle code. This charge
entirely overlooks the fact that only
perpetrators of major violations as
cited above are affected. It is true
that one State In enacting the law
model satety-respons law in the
citation of violations. But there is
every reason to believe that in this par
ticular State the law will be modified.
The law, in whole or In part, is now
in effect in the following IL States:
New York. Rhode Island. Connecticut,
California, Iowa. Maine, North Dakota
Wisconsin, Vermont. New Jersey, New
Hampshire and Minnesota.
Results Are ENCOURAGING.
It should be said in fairness that
SUFFICIENT time has not yet elapsed to
permit Of clear-cut conclusions. To
date, however. the experience Of those
responsible for the administration of
the laws Is most encouraging. Not one
State has taken a backward glance,
while several States are seriously con-
sidering the enactment Of additional
provisions of the legislation and the
strengthening Of some provisions al
ready in effect.
AS might be expected, since the COM
n1itments Of the States in respect to
the law vary. they are not in accord in
the stress they place on the various adj
vantages accruing, but they are In ac4
cord on the proposition that the laws
mean great forward advance for mo-
tordom. And there Is very general
belief that their cumulative effect will
be to establish moral responsibility at
the wheel of the automobile and to
make this responsibility compulsory.
Let us hear from some of the officials
or the spokesman of officials who have
committed their cornmonwealths to the
experiment In safety responsibility The
roll call Is unquestionably impressive.
Says Gov. Young of California: "As
soon as the public becomes more IA.
miliar with the full meaning of the Law
we will see material decrease in acct
dents on the highways"
Gov Shafer of North Dakota: Law
requiring reckless automobile drivers
to file bond as a security for the pay
ment Of damages is the only practical
way OF protecting the public from the
dangers Of reckless and financially ire
sponsiole persons who use the high
ways"
Gov Walter J. Kotler of Wisconsin:
MY attitude toward revocation Of driv-
ers' licenses on account Of failure to pay
judgments incurred through negligence
effect"
Law Held Adequate Weapon.
Gov. Norman g. Case of Rhode Island
regards the law as an economic prop
osition," as primarily an effort to solve
dlfncult economic problem, rather
than as an effective means for reduce
ing highway accidents. But, he adds.
i do not think there is any foundation
Tor the belief that the law will lead to
the use of the power of the State to get
business. for insurance companies. nor
that such a law will penalize car owners
for petty offenses."
Speaking in the name Of Gov. Trurn-
bull OF Connecticut, Robbins B. Stock
Ell, commissioner Of motor vehicles.
whose experience with a financial re-
sponsibility law dates to January /.
1925. and who is usually regarded as one
OF Americas ablest administrators, ex-
presses himself thus:
"This law provides an effective
weapon for the motor vehicle depart
nent to use against offenders It is
really an aid to the suspension powers.
PROFESSIONALLY the next session Of the
legislature will broaden the scope of
this law. Its moral effect on those to
whom 1t is applied is bound to be good
The experience Of an undesirable going
from one insurance company to another
trying to find some one who will glaran-
tee in the light of bad record is bound
to be. educational to him, to say the