New Britain herald., 1929-06-22
OLD CARS POPULAR
 WITH YOUNG MEN

Youth Enthrond behind Whotl
 Of Ancient Motor Vehicles
 One of the undesirable features of the summer motoring season which has come to tho attention of the police department of this city as in other places although the season is comparatively young. is the strong attraction which old automobiles appear to have developed for young men possessed of . strong desire 10 travel along the highways by motor power. Whether or not New Brit ain is having more than its share of the annoyance caused by the cor- dition is problematical, but the au- thorities are convinced that unless there is . change for the better. the police court will be crowded before tho summer ends, with youths pleading guilty to various violations of the motor vehicles law. with the strong probability that the hospital also may be affected in the form of increased registration of emergency cases.
 There are on the market, auto mobiles which were second. third and even fourth hand several years ago, and they are being purchased, 1t is said, by youths who have hard ly more than the price of an opera tors license. Sales as low as S5 have been recorded and in some in- stances the cars have been driven for weeks by unlicensed drivers. They manage to escape arrest only temporarily. however, for the de- fleets in the lighting system or oth- CT noticeable parts of the car are certain to come to tho attention cf the police whether the drivers stay on the back roads or take to the main highways. because there ia traffic everywhere and at practical ly all times of the day and night.
 The use of dilapidated cars is . menace. according to the motor ve- hicle department authorities in all parts of the country. although off cials in some places lean to the stand that it is not dangerous pro- vided the drivers and occupants conduct 'themselves within reason as to speed and respect for the lawa governing the operation of motor vehicles. These officials contend that 1t makes small difference whether . reckless driver Is in . high priced car or a cheap one, in fact, some of them have made the claim that drivers of run down ve- hicles are less likely to attempt speedy or reckless driving than are those who are privileged to sit be- hind the steering wheels of expen- hve and we'll kept machines.
 The majority of police and motor vehicle department authorities, how ever, contend that rattle-trap auto mobiles which arc apt to break down in traffic are a menace to tn 3 safety of the travelling public and also jeopardize the financial we'll be- ing of drivers whose cars figure in collisions with them. for the owners or persons in charge of the relics are not apt to carry insurance, nor are they likely to be in a position to pay for damage caused by their driving. The state law affords pro- lection in the latter respect to the extent of requiring owners of cars which figure in accidents to show proof of financial responsibility or insure their vehicles. but the danger of the first accident is ever present.
 Many of the cars driven up and down the highways of Connecticut. and in and out of various cities, are equipped with parts which were or isinally on numerous other cars. 1t has been discovered in various ways. Batteries stolen from other cars or from repair stations have been un. covered in some of them, and tires and similar accessories likewise have been found to have been pilfered. Even the markers do not always be- long on the machines. and iA some instances drivers have been caught without certificate of registration or operators license.
 It has frequently been remarked by policemen that luck seems to be against the drivers of broken down cars, many of the arrests which have been made in this city in such cases having resulted from investi- gation into minor violations such al failure to give proper signal before leaving the curb. or neglecting to respect some rule of the road which ordinarily would not result serious ly. With the growing demand for stricter enforcement of the motor vehicle laws, which seems to be gen. eral in all parts of the country, it is often necessary for drivers to do no more than act suspiciously or bs in . car which does not losk "just fright" for one reason or an- other. to md themselves in difficult ty with the law.