Evening star., 1932-02-07

An interesting account OF the results
Of the safety responsibility law of the
American Automobile Association in IS
months operation in the Province of
Ontario Canada was given recently
before the Motor Club of Hamilton by
r. Leighton Foster, superintendent of
insurance for ontario.
This Is the same law which failed
Of passage at the last session of Con-
gress for the District, but which has
been reintroduced at this session. Ac-
cording to Mr.. Foster, the law in this
short period has driven from the high
ways $500 reckless, insolvent motorists,
who have only themselves to blame for
their loss Of driving privileges, and no
doubt are better off the road than on
it," These motorists asserted the su-
perintendent, have been convicted of
major trafic offenses, and have failed
TO show the necessary financial reSpon-
sibility to regain their permits. Surely
this is a great achievement, accom-
plished without injustice or penalizing
the careful in order to get at the care
less motoriSt," said Mr.. Foster.
Complete Picture.
sketching a complete picture OF the
operation Of the law, the super1nten-
dent said
The Ontario act came into force
September /, 1890. What is the record
of its first 16 months of operation, as re-
vealed by the registrar Ct motor vehicles?
Four thousand three hundred and fifty
one Ontario motorists had their oper-
atorS' licenses suspended and their own
ers' permits withdrawn by reason OF be-
ing convicted for major offenses against
public safety under the highway tratflc
act In addition 10 ontario motorists
also lost their privilege Of driving IN
Ontario by reason Of conviction for
offenses in other states and provinces
which. if committed in Ontario, would
have resulted in the suspension Of their
licenses. Under the reciprocal features
Of the financial responsibility plan the
authorities in other States and provinces
notify the Ontario registrar Of motor
vehicles of the conviction within their
Jurisdiction of an ontario motorist, and
thereupcn the Ontario mOtorist loses
his driving privileges in Ontario as well
as in the jurisdiction where the offense
was committed.
Sixteen months of operation Of the
law has not been a sufficiently long period
to show the value Of the payment Of
Judgment provision, which calls for the
suspension OI liCHIlSeS anu SIIllLS
where a motorist fails to pay a final
civil Judgment arising out of a motor
vehicle accident Nevertheless. al On
tario motorists already have been dis
ciplined and lost their driving privi-
leges BY reason Of their failure to pay
civil judgments arising out Of motor
vehicle accidents in Ontario, Up to
date no Ontario motorists have suf
fered suspension by reason Of failure
to pay civil iudgm ents arising cut Of
motor vehicle accidents in other States
and provinces, although the act provides
that where an Ontario mOtOrlst fails
to pay a civil Judgment rendered by
the court Of another province COR State
which has reciprocal legislation in ef-
feet. namely. New York and New Jer-
sey) his privilege of driving in Ontario
is withdrawn until that Judgment is
paid.
Opinion of Registrar.
"TThe registrar Of motor vehicles has
expressed the opinion that figures Is
sued by his department need not be
expected to show at any time the full
value of the payment Of judgr ent'
feature Of the act. He says that corre-
spondence with solicitors and attorneys
for parties to civil actions arising out
Of motor vehicle accidents indicates that
in most cases the threat Of a judgment
creditors solicitor to report the failure
of the Judgment debtor to pay the
Judgment is sufficient to force a prompt
settlement.