Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20
TOUTHFuL. driVers nf 81

4lc WllIlaIn ii. Harland. The IRE
= Sponsible spirit of youth appears
" to stand out in studies of the ages
of those involved in accidents, it
was pointed out, and the question
has come to mind as to whether
much careleSSneSS has not en-
tered in some of the accidents,
although In fatalities in most
cases coroner's jurieS hold to the
= accidental verdict.
During the past week, it was
added. there were five fatalities,
and in four Of the five cases the
drivers OF the automobiles we're
below the ages of IS years. One
h was 10, two we're 81. one was %
and the fifth was SO. This fact,
together with studies being made
OF past accidents, and even of
those convicted of reckless driv-
ing and speeding and similar
- traffic offenSeS show. as far as the
caeck-up has been made, that in
the vast majority of the cases the
). drivers were below the age of Is
years.
Young Drivers at Fault.
Going back over the figures of
the fiscal. year ended June 80,
last, Mr.. Harland showed that OF
- the SO fatalities 81 of them. OF
nearly SO per cent were caused ny
drivers less than Is years old. Al
most the same percentage is
shown for arrests and accidents
: not involving fatalities.
The study of the figures is to
be continued in the traffic direc-
tors office, and in the meantime
the young men and women below.
Is who are involved In difficulties
with traffic are to- receive much
attention from the traffic author
tiles. It was pointed out that there
is too much reckless driving, and
one way to break 1t up is to sus-
pend or revoke permits. Even
though the drivers are of legal age
and can obtain permits, the trafflc
authorities intend to put a curb on
it, So far as 1t is within their
power. Every youthful driver who
becomes involved in an accident or
in a serious breach of the traffic
regulations is to receive special
attention in the traffic directors
office. Each case will, be thor
oughly investigated, and if there
is any indication that accidents
particularly were caused by the
disregard Of the rights of others
= &c viii carry q suspension or even
3 revocation.
In connection with the prepara-
ton of statistics as a part of the
study Of this matter, the ages of
ak drivers will be checked up, as
it lis the belief of the traffic au-
thoritieS that the great majority
Of the automobile drivers of the
city are above the age of Is. This
would indicate that there is too
high percentage of the accidents
and serious traffic regulations
being caused by men and women
under IS.
The traffic authorities are much
concerned over this showing, and
have, fully determined to make q
thorough investigation with a view
Ito schrbing the serious accidents
ANA fatalities by eliminating from
the streets the youthful drivers
who sfaiI to obey the laws or to
drive carefully enough to avoid
accidents.
Hoppe to Make Streets Safe.
All accidents are being given
1nltch consideration now; the pur-
poaes being to make the streets
safe by getting the drivers caus-
ing the troubles of the streets.
Since it was reported last week
that the permits of any two driy-
ierS IN an accident were to be
suspended pending investigation,
there have been some complaints
received at the Office against this
procedure, and the matter will not
be carried out, at least at this
time, 1t was indicated 1t was
pointed out that it would be mani
fesbly unfair, particularly in a
case, for instance, where parked
car was hit, to suspend the permit
OF the owner or operator Of that
machine. The matter was con-
Eeidered merely in a jealous EFFORT
being made to make the streets
of Washington safe for all.
There is not a uniform method
of handling permit suspensions in
the traffic Office. Whereas, permits
of drivers charged with colliding
and leaving the scene are SuS-l
pended Immediately upon, arrest,
Elf they are discovered, drivers of
cars engaged in fatalities or even
serious accidents are not suspend
ed pending determination OF the
cases by either the courts or: the
coroner's iuries. The permit CT
The man held for leaving the scene
Is withheld pending action on his
Ease, which may be three or four
months, or even more when Jury
trial is asked. If he proves his
Innocence, by showing that the
police arrested the wrong man,
he has been irreparably injured,
particularly if his job depends on
Ibis 3retaining his right to operate
IN motor vehicle. He has no re-
dress. It was said that inveStiga-
eionS are not even made in these
eases pending decision Of the mat
Gers in the Police Court.
CoGSsSSration is being given by
iDiBctor Harland to the matter
of requiring vehicles crossing
boulevard and arterial highways
after midnight and until early
morning, when the signal lights
are cut, to come to a stop before
crossing. There seems to be some
conflict Of opinion and confusion
on the part of automobile opera
tors in this matter, but Director
Harland says that there is no re-
1uirement that a vehicle come TO
complete stop before crossing
when the lights are out. Some