Evening star., 1933-07-02
UNIFORM TRAFFIC
CONDITIONS SOUGHT
Van Duzer Pleads for Finan.
ciaI Responsibility Law
at Conference.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

DE1ROlI, July LOOKING toward
uniform, legalized traffic regulation the
country over, the motor vehicle law ad-
ministrators of approximately 40 States
met here this week. The group de-
liberated on the general principles of
driving licensing. financial responsible
ity laws and other phases of the high
way safety problem.
AS result the Eastern Confer
ence of Motor Vehicle Administrators,
under whose auspices the assembly was
called, is to become an organization
which will be national in scope Among
the possible developments from the ex-
pansion is a second National Confer
ence on Street and Highway Safety to
be arranged fer 1884. The first one,
held in 1880, was sponsored by Herbert
Hoover. The conference for next year
may be sponsored officially by Presi-
dent Roosevelt If plans made here
crystalline into action.
State Views Expressed.
Three days Of sessions were held at
which views representative of widely
distant States were expressed. The
keynote speech was delivered by Carroll
A. Mealey, deputy commissioner of New
York.
On the subject Of drivers license
laws, Mr.. Mealey pointed out that 80
years ago only $4,000 cars were regis
tered in the United States. The total
registration in 1882 was about 24,374,-
600. In keeping with this striking in
crease license laws have made rapid
strides. until the official test in some
sections has risen to the realm of psy-
chology.
Scientists have urged periodic tests
OF those who for years have been Ii
censed to drive. In New York State
an eye test is not only compulsory, but
this precaution has been extended AS
years go on, the power of vision is nat
urally relaxed, making it necessary for
the driver to resort to glasses The New
York renewal application blank this
year requires an answer to this ques-
ton: rs 1t necessary for you to wear
glasses while driving motor vehicle?"
II the answer is yes, a conditional
license is given.
In 1882, year Of depression, Mr..
Mealey continued, the motor vehicle
accidents were the one bright and cheer
ing factor: they showed a downward
trend. While it was true that fewer
cars were registered and operated. the
decrease in accidents was much
greater reduction than the percentage
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an indication that accidents can be and
are being controlled
Motor vehicle bureaus have been con-
Quoting more rigid examinations each
year. Even now in some States agen-
cles are seeking formula which NAV
expose the qualities of mind or physical
weakness before the reckless-driyer
menace results in disaster. The Ma
tlonal Safety Council has found that
drivers license laws are reducing traf-
nc accidents. States that had standard
orlvlng license laws last year had 81
per cent fewer motor vehicle deaths
than In non-license States.
Most Drivers Careful.
Experts agree that with all the in
crease in the number of automobile
drivers. the accidents which are caused
IN trafflc are due to carelessness or
reckleSsness of only Is per cent of the
drivers. That is, IS per cent of all
drivers in the Nation are careful and
prudent
In interstate driving. one of the most
perpleXing problems confronting motor
lists IS understanding traffic lights and
signals. In some localities right or left
turns are permitted on red light. In
other localities no turns are permitted
on red light. Some places have a
yellow light which is used as a caution
signal. In others, the caution light has
been eliminated. In certain cities, traf-
f1c lights turn red in all directions desig-
mating a period for pedestrian traffic
Boulevard stops and signals on main
highways have different meanings in
different localities.
Many accidents result from operators
proceeding against traffic signal be-
lieving, however. that they are comply
ing with the laws and regulations A
decided forward step will be taken in
motor vehicle safety when traffic sig
mails are uniform and operators from
one State thoroughly understand traffic
rules and regulations in every other
State.
On financial responsibility laws. Har-
old G.. Hoffman, New Jersey commits
sioner, told the conference that sta
tistics do not disclose that such laws
have in any way reduced accidents. The
suffering and cost of property damage
which result from accidents inevitably
are part of the price paid by motor
lists for the convenience of motor
vehicle.
I'm view of this" he said "there de-
velops demand. as unsatisfied judg-
ments accumulate, that the injured
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judgment feature of financial respon
sibility laws is the strongest provision
of such legislation. as the requirements
guarantee some compensation to the
injured party"
Cites Results of Canadian Law
j. P. Bickell, registrar of motor We
hicles at Toronto, Ontario. cited the
results of financial responsibility law
enforcement. In SO months that this
law has been in force, 1921 persons
have had the privilege of driving or
owning motor vehicle withdrawn from
them by reason of conviction for, Of
fenses that the law prohibits.
Mr.. Bickell called attention to
reciprocal provision in the Canadian
law which provided for license sus-
pension and the filing of proof of finan-
cial responsibility for failure to satisfy
a judgment secured against an Ontario
motorist in a State of the Union. To
date New York and New Jersey have
enacted similar legislation, so that
Judgment now secured against resi-
dents of Ontario in either New York or
New Jersey must be satisfied. Otherwise
the Ontario motorist is prohibited from
driving or owning car in the same
manner as though the judgment had
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province.
Residents of these two States like
wise must satisfy judgments secured
against them in Ontario or suffer home
license loss. Pennsylvania has law
that will become effective January l.
1884, operating on the same reciprocal
principle Mr. Bickell believes that the
financial responsibility law has more
than justified it's enactment by remov-
ing from Ontario highways more than
$500 reckless or irresponsible drivers.
Van Duser Speaks.
In making a plea for formation of q
national traffic conference, w. A. Van
Duser, director of vehicles and traffic.
District of Columbia. said % States
have financial responsibility laws, while
20 States have not.