Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-18
Judge Gus A. SChuIdt Gives
Address Before Road
Builders Convention.
BELIEVES AUTHORITIES
COULD CURB ACCIDENTS
License Laws Now in 16 States
Cited to Show Influence
for More Safety.

Responsibility for reforming the rela-
lively small group of drivers who are
causing most of Americas traffic prob
lens rests on police and traffic court
judges and police and traffic officials,
Gus A. Schuldt, presiding judge of
Washingtons Police Court, told the gen.
eral committee on traffic of the Ameri-
can Road Builders Association in con-
vention at Atlantic City.
In this modern age of motor trans
portation, the progressive citizen desires
to move swiftly, but he also desires to
move safely" said Judge Schuldt. I'm
our ever increasing desire for speed we
must not, however, lose sight of the fact
that the race is not always to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong There is
no doubt that large percentage of the
$4,000 men, women and children who
are annually killed in this country by
motor vehicles are victims of careless
ness, self1shness and recklessness.
Can Stop Small Glass.
IF police and Traffic Court judges.
traffic and police officials will do their
plain duty and face this grave situa-
ton with courage and conviction, they
will be able to reform that relatively
small class of drivers who are causing
most of our traffic troubles. If this
Is done these officials will be sustained
by the power of public opinion.
What punishment should be meted
out to the reckless driver, the drunken
driver, or to the cowardly fellow who
runs away from the scene after he has
injured or killed person through his
culpable negligence is the question and
problem which prosecutors, police and
traffic judges and juries must face. The
punishment, naturally, should fit the
crime. 1t should likewise be swift and
certain. 1t must be based on reason
and justice. and on careful analysis
of all the facts surrounding each case.
Leniency may, in some cases, bring
about the desired reform. In other
cases, heavy penalties and Jail sem
fences must be imposed, especially
where the culprit is persistent and
repeated violator."
Judge Schuldt said that one of the
most effective preventives of traffic
crimes Is that of revocation or suspen-
sion of drivers permits. ITO bring
about real reforms in traffic" he de-
clared, I'VE must go to the fountain
head, the source-to the man who drives
the car-and see to it that he is quail
fed to drive safely and sanely and If
not that his permit is taken away"
Laws Curb Accidents.
Sixteen of the States now have driv-
ers' license laws which, Judge Schuldt
declared, have resulted in a reduction
of traflc fatalities and accidents in pro-
portion to the population in comparison
with the States which do not have such
laws. I'm the more progressive States,
including the District of Columbia" he
said. permits are revoked automatically
upon conviction for certain serious Of
lenses. and the authorities are given
discretionary power to revoke or sus-
pend for any other cause deemed suf-
f1cient."
Judge Schuldt recommended that
drivers permits be withheld from per-
sons under 10 years of age without the
consent of parents or guardians, and
that no permit be issued to person
to drive public service vehicle unless
he is over 81 years Of age. He also
suggested that permits be withheld
from persons of Questionable moral
Character, as we'll as epeleptics, habitual
drunkards and persons who are con-
fined in institutions for mental dis
eases. or who are otherwise physically
defective or have poor vision.