The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-25
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1881
Controlling Speed

hulOmdtiC SOulLOi VI oPSSeSLo thought that Motor Vehicle Commissioner Robins B. Stoeckel is now propounding He believes that the day isn't far distant when all automobiles, commercial and pleas ure. will be equipped with governors which will prevent them attaining the high speeds of the present day. Certainly if this day ever arrives it will be welcomed by many who find in the reckless abandon with which many motorists careen along our smooth highways subjects for editorials. ser- mons, and lectures. However, these govern nors will certainly be radical departure from the modern motor equipment which tends to permit faster driving with greater comfort and more security upon the part of the driver and his passengers.
 Another feature that may become part or the automobile of five or ten years hence. comments Mir Stoeekel. may be sealed speedometer which will record the 60 or /o mile gait of those who like to travel that fast. We presume that these devices will be subject to investigations by inspectors of the motor vehicle department from time to time. What will follow the discovery of 50 or 60 miles on one of them remains to be seen. Certainly there are plenty Of logical reasons that man could advance for going that fast. Emergencies often demand excessive speed from motor car. And many man is glad at this time that his car can produce the speed asked Of 1t.
 There is too much speeding in Conneetl- cut as we'll as in other states these days. but automobile manufacturers are as much 10 blame as the actual drivers. They advertise their product to meet certain conditions and SO great is the competition in the automobile field that they must live up to their advance predictions. Most automobiles are manu- fsctured to attain high speeds. while at the same time not causing undue inconvenience to the occupants. Four-wheel brakes were neeessitated by high speeds. Evidently the governor will be the post script to the four wheel brake. Probably it will do some good, but speeding will never cure reckless driving which can occur at any speed rom , to 75 miles per hour.
 The reckless driver is the one who may observe few rules of the road, but he or she is notoriously at fault in many respects. Tie may be road-hog or he may dawdle along when traffic conditions demand that he maintain 5 or 40 mile speed He IS the fellow who makes the abrupt right or ieft turn without informing the driver behind him of his intent. He is the maniac who cuts in and out of traffic forcing nervous drivers off the road. He is the man who IS always right. but manages to get his car into more jams by being right. His lenders are exhibits in the daily battle for motor su- premacy. He always beats the light knows just when the green light is going to appear and edges up to the head of the line to beat you to the crossing.
 We could go on ad infinitum describing the reckless driver. You all know him. He may be the mildest hammered person in his business endeavors but put him behind the wheel of an automobile and he loses all idea of restraint and good judgment. Of course. there are the crazy lunatics, too. who know nothing about car except getting speed out of it. They don't carry any in- suranee on their vehicle. They haven't the slightest degree of responsibility. he gentry shouldn't be g ven automobile H. censes That's one of the penalties of liv- ing in the land of the free and the home Of the brave. Too bad our prohibition en- foreement agents can't expend some of their energy in running down these wid-eyed looms. They kill more people than llquof ever thought of doing.