New Britain herald., 1930-12-30

considering that there is consider able discussion regarding its value, and the fact that the law in Massa- chusetts has not greatly reduced the number of automobile accidents.
 It perhaps is worth while at this iuncture to consider the nature of the Massachusetts law. Each auto mobile owner in the state must ac- company his request for a license with d certificate showing that he is insured against liability for accidents up to S5,ago for injury to one person or Slo.ooo for injury to more than one; or instead Of the certificate. a deposit Of $5.ooo in cash or securities may he made. There is no state fund for this compulsory insurance, but the rates which may be charged ny private companies are fixed by the Massachusetts commissioner Of in- surance, and they are graduated by locality. but not by the applicants accident records.
 Objection 10 the Nassachuset ts plan is that it is unduly burdensome upon careful drivers, who must suf- fer for the accidents Of careless drivers; and that the rates fixed tend to become political issues.
 As q substitute for compulsory in surance the American Automobile Association advocates legislation covering the following four points:
 C1 License Of all automobile operators by examlnauon. @ retus- al Of such license to any person whose rj-h, to drive is at the time suspended ir any orh-r state. (&) Suspension O. driving privileges 10
 
 larion O. traffic laws, whether or not resulting in an accident. until proof Of future financial responsibility h1s been established. A Suspension of driving privileges 10 any person against whom a final judgment for negligence has been legally render ed, until the judgment has been met.
 Strange as it may seem, such roa- sonah1y srtotures against bad driv- ing do not as yet exist in many states. but they arg closely paraIlely in Conn4-Hcat, which was early OH the scene in inc attempt to enforce good lr.1ae through state action. I", n $ ars@oa against this plan that " 5.s-.5o.snates against tie poor tn favor o1 the rich, and that '.t allows every Jog one good bite" This, incidentally IS charged ln Connseiea', j. being the practice in this s,atc 70 refrain from taking ac- t:ou aeatu~. a driver until he ha~ caus.l aa aoa1-nt.
 { lis aaazua that in this nation ot 25.a..ama motor vehicles OH tiD, ~oaI thar a- psessa. only II states and the District os Colambia require  t.ease ot operators by examination One oth5r ztate requires licenses, but v.tuou, a>amtnatton. In seven other states exgmtnatlons are optional and il nunh~r of states require licenses from professional chauItaurs but not from others. Three states by tA' way. permit children O. II to drive.
 Tine supreme Court O. ta. uune1 s.a-~9 has held that driving an anto- woG.- .sthe right 10 oqarar, d. dan -.roas 5asrumea-a1lrE, and fl has D..a shown ii thousands O. cas,: ..4 d -erar ar5s4r' Is as danger o.- 10 if. and limb a~ a crazy mar ruam- --0Me IL. highway saoorH-- off g gun. The ration walloas in rh' -"-tsrma slough O. $1.oao au.omo a-a fatalities z~ar. with bet"eor ..a.. and @.a.g,a seriously io.ur .4 lar@..y through negligent aH tuo5=a-l-.s driving.
 !. is at least comfort to roaI,z. taa. ta, ls-5s1atures Of many s-ar.. arg being forced 10 take action in ; matter that sor4ly needs it. If tts, do not 3arry perhaps the feder' -o.ram~nl ~i'l come forward vii t.- Haa That. IS automoallas fre' Iy cross Nare lines. it ts the right 0 th~ federal government 10 take hand .a the regulation or such "deu =-rous tastruraantaIi'Ias;' in whini ease there would be an opportuni" for ano-h.r howl 70 go up regarding "t.I-ral interference"
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