The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1931-02-05
PAGE EIGHT

The following are answers to ques-
-tions and objections commonly heard
in discussions of drivers license laws
an states not now having such laws
Answers are based on the proposed
drivers license law as drawn by the
minnesota State Automobile Associa-
ztion and recently introduced into the
state legislature.
l. If such law is passed, will
have to take an examination
Ans. If you have driven a car for
Aone year OF more, you will receive a
license without examination, by simp-
ly making written application.
2. What kind of physical or mental
examination will be given to new
drivers?
Ans. There will be no physical ex-
animation by physician unless the
applicant is obviously suffering from
"a serious defect. The usual examina-
tion consists of % an oral quiz to
test the applicants knowledge of the
more important rules of the road and
traffic regulations and (2) driving
test using his own car, to show his
ability to handle it under common
straffic conditions.
3. Will every one have to go to the
State Capitol for a license?
Ans. The state motor vehicle de-
partment will have branch Offices in
the principal cities. Examinations of
new drivers will be given by travelling
representatives, in the county and
generally in the city where the ap-
plicant lives. The original licenses
of present drivers, to be given with
out examination, will probably be
sent through the mail on receipt of
written application.
a. Does a person have to be eX-
-amined again when renewing his IL
4cense?
Ans. No, except that the depart
1nent may require examination in
believe the person has become incom-
lpetent.
5. How will the new driver get his
Instruction and practice?
Ans. After passing the oral qiuz
HE gets a learners permit, good for
80 days, during which he may drive
with a licensed driver alongside and
mo one else in the car.
6. What if a new driver fails on
71he first examination.
Ans. He can try again as often as
he wishes. Twenty to thirty
three per cent of the applicants fail
ON first trial. Some, who don't care
anuch about driving anyway, give up.
of those who persist in repeated
trials only two Or three per cent are
finally refused Licences.
z. How can an examination weed
<out the reckless driver?
Ans. The examination is not ex-
pected to weed out the reckless driv-
er but to weed out the incompetent
driver-or, more accurately, to insure
that every new driver will study the
traffic rules and regulations, and will
learn to drive under competent in
Structor. At present a person who
has never driven before and who
knows nothing about traffic rules can
buy a car and start out on the high
,Way at great hazard to himself and
Others.
8. What is to prevent bootleggers
and criminals driving without Ii
cense?
Ans. The license law is not intend
ed to stop bootlegging or other crime.
If, however, suspicious character is
stopped by a police officer and is
found to have no license he may be
detained on that charge pending in
Twestigation of other possible charges.
8. Why pass any more laws?
couldn't we deal with the reckless
edriver if we would only enforce the
laws we have?
Ans. The chief trouble with present
enforcement machinery is that it was
designed to deal with criminals
burglars, pickpockets and the like
Most traffic violators are not Grim
inals and cannot be treated as such
Judges and juries will not send re-
spectacle citizen to Jail for traffic
violation, and most car owners dom
take small fine very seriously. Blu
what every driver does fear is tn
loss of his license. Experience in thu
Eastern states shows that traffi
rules are better observed and Their
is higher level of enforcement b.
police and courts when they are back
ed up by state motor vehicle burea
with power to suspend or revoke Ii
censes for serious or repeated traffi
violations or accidents.
10. Will people from other state
have to get licenses before they ca
drive in this state?
Ans. Anyone holding a licens
from another state can drive in thi
state without examination or licens