The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-06-14
STATEWIDE [
SAVE-A-LIFE
CAMPAIGN
Announced by Proclamation
Issued by Gov. Albert
G. Richie


accidents and eliminate loss OF life
caused by motor vehicles in Mary
land, statewide "Save-A-Life" cam
paign will be conducted from June 15
to July is, it was announced today
by e. Austin Baughman, Commissions
er Of Motor Vehicles.
The campaign was announced today
for the State by proclamation Isl
sued by Governor Albert G. Richie
at the Capitol this morning. The
proclamation calls upon all municipal
authorities, motor organizations and
civic and commercial bodies to COZ
operate in the "Save-A-Life" move
ment and also calls attention to the
new Motor Vehicle Inspection Law.
Under the provisions Of Chapter
257 of the Acts Of the General AS
sembly of Maryland as enacted at the
Session of 1929, the Commissioner OF
Motor Vehicles is authorized to re-
quire an inspection of the safety fac
tors of all motor vehicles in the State.
The inspection of motor vehicles shall
consist Of brakes, lights, horns, steer
ing mechanism, windshield wipers,
rear view mirrors, obscure license tags
and operators licenses.
Service stations and garages in ev-
cry community in the State will be-
appointed to serve as official inspec-
ton stations from June Is to July
Is, inclusive. During this period every
motor vehicle owner is requested to
drive or send his car or truck to one
Of these official inspection stations to
be examined regarding it's mechanical
condition. This inspection will be
made entirely without charge at OFF,
cial garages and service stations and
the motor vehicle owner is free to
choose any official inspection station
he desires.
Official windshield stickers will be
issued in the name of the State Motor
Vehicle authorities and one of these
will be placed on every motor vehicle
that passes inspection as being in
good mechanical condition insofar as
its safety factors are concerned. Cars
that reveal mechanical defects which
render them unsafe will have to be
put in good order before the official
State sticker will be issued to the
owner.
"The proposed 'Save-A-Life' inspec-
ton OF automobiles will be devoted
chiefly to the brakes. horns, lights.
steering mechanism, windshield WHIP
lers and mirrors said Commissioners
Baughman ii Snnouncing IL cam
paign to reduce automobile accidents
and prevent fatalities in the State.
"These are the items most likely to
get out of order on the average auto
mobile and truck and statistics show,
that they are the most frequent causes
of accidents.
1--WE want no unsafe automobiles on
the reads in Maryland and co-opera-
tion of every citizen and motorist in
getting his car inspected free Of
charge between June is and July Is
will go long way towards saving
lives and preventing accidents.
st is perfectly obvious that the
best driver in the world cannot stop
a car that has no brakes or warn
pedestrians and other cars if the horn
is not working. Inspection of drivers
is not sufficient: the vehicle they drive
must also be in safe condition to
prevent injury to themselves and
others.
"Forty per cent of deaths from au-
tomobile accidents in the United
States are caused by defects in the
mechanical condition of the automo-
bile itself. A modern automobile is
good for tens of thousands of miles
of service and it is entirely safe in the
hands of careful driver, but being a
piece of machinery it requires regular
mechanical inspection at least once a
year to keep it in good running order
and to operate it economically and
safely"
Governor Ritchie's proclamation calls
upon the officials of every community
and various civic and industrial or
CARNATIONS to lend their whole-hearted
support to the Statewide movement
for greater motor vehicle safety. The
text of the proclamation follows:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND
SAVE A LIFE CAMPAIGN
June 10 to July Is. 1923. inclusive
WHEREAS, Experience has demonstrated
that considerable portion of the acct
dents involving motor vehicles is directly
chargeable to defective mechanism or
equipment: and
WHEREAS, These accidents leave In
their wake untold suffering and loss of
humaa life and limb, entirely aside from
wantOn waste of and damage of and to
property: and
WHEREAS. 1t Is believed that careful
and frequent inspection of such mechanism
and equipment will eliminate most. If not
aliS accidents chargeable to such defects;
and
WHEREAS, BY Chapter 259 of the Acts
Of 1929, the Commissioner of Motor We
hicles of the State of Maryland is author
lied to require the inspection of any
motor vehicle or trailer to determine
whether or not 1t is unsafe or improperly
equipped OF otherwise unfit to be operated.
such inspection to be made at such times
and in such manner as the Commissioner
of Motor Vehicles may specify: and
90