The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-08
THE STATE MOTOR
 VEHICLE DEPT
Many Complain That the Examination for Li-
 cenSes Is Too Strict
WHAT OFFICIALS SAY

It is probably too soon to be quoting many statistics about ex- aminationsr of operators made by inspectors of the Motor Vehicle de- pertinent who have taken over the duties from the State Police, says Commissioner of Motor Vehicles Robbins B. Stoeckel. The refus- al rate by the Motor Vehicle de- partmeht is not in excess of that by the state police," he says, but the examination Is somewhat long CT and more detailed than it used to be. with every promise of be- ing considerably more so in the future.
 There have been quite a few criticisms and a number of com plaints from persons who think that the examinations are too hard and from people whose duty 1t is to teach others to drive that the examination no longer re- sembles the former examination enough to be fair to them.
 "The department is gradually making this operators examination more and more strict. It is at- tempting to direct the public at- tention to the fact that the only hope for safety on the highways lies in the higher education of op- orators, and that the new operator ought to be pretty well qualified before he is allowed to go on. For a long time there has been general understanding that new operators do not make accidents. That remains true to a marked ex- tent but enough new operators do | make accidents so that anyone appearing for an examination ought to be prepared to prove that at least he or she is qualified to drive and not likely to cause undue situations. The complaints about the examination in general are not warranted.
 Any such activity as this, talk en on with members of the pub lie by a service department whose inspectors are instructed to make
 certain that specific characteris- tics of operation are present and others are absent, is bound to make more or less friction unless the
 public does its part and those
 who take the examination try to
 realize that the department is working not only for the protection | of others, but also for the protec-
 tions of the person who is being
 examined.
 "The examination is being built
 up with the purpose in view to
 have it continuously fair; to work
 it up gradually from its present
 standpoint as fast as any useful item can be developed but to keep
 all those who will be subjected to
 1t in close touch with it by infor-
 nation and advice.
 "Rejections are made by inspec-
 tors on special basis. There have
 been found all sorts of operators
 who are not yet qualified and who
 by reason of personal characteris- ltics may never be able to qsalify
 For example: The man who drives
 entirely in second and hasn't cour-
 age enough to go into high. | ! seems strange that such a persor
 does exist, but he does. It can bt imagined what trouble he migh f occasion If he got into traffic lin , on the faster highways.
 . "The long and short of the sub f ject of examination is just on i, thing. and that is that the situa r ton at large demands better oper . ators, and the percentage of poo i. operators must be cut down.
 "It is a real problem. Publi V sentiment apparently supports tn department in its attempt for it , solution. It is asserted as a
 eearnest statement that the de
 partment will not stand back o
 any unfairness in application o its tests, and that it will try to SC
 that those who come in contac E with 1t for new operators Ii , censes are advised ahead as. to tn I necessary requirements.''
 The above bulletin, prepared b. MT Stoeckel. was read to-day b, , station announcer from WTIC, il
 the interests of highway safety. Rrazil will electrffv the Centra