Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-28
CAR. LIABILITY ACT
TO CO into EFFECT;
PENALTIES SEVERE
Next Thursday Will See New
Law Start Drive on
Reckless Motorist.
REVOCATION OF TAGS
AND PERMITS PROVIDED
Violator May Not Operate Auto
Unless He Proves Financial Y
Responsibility.


Bristling with drastic penalties, the
Districts new automobile operators
financial responsibility law goes into
effect at 1901 am. next Thursday
inaugurating campaign to run the
reckless, irresponsible motorist OH the
streets of Washington.
The law not only is intended to
put out of commission the habitually
reckless driver, but also to afford
financial protection to the careful
motorist who has often suffered prop
erty loss in accidents with financially
irresponsible operators from whom 1t
has been impossible to collect dam
ages.
The law provides for automatic Sus-
pension of the operators permit and
registration certificate and surren-
dering of the license tags of any driver
convicted of operating an automobile
while drunk or under the influence
of narcotics; convicted of leaving the
scene of an automobile accident IN
which personal injury has occurred
without making known his identity;
or against whom a Judgment has been
obtained for damages resulting from
an automobile accident which has
not been satisfied within 80 days.
Applies in Other States.
The law applies not only to District
motorists involved in violations or
accidents coming within the scope OF
the law in the District, but IN accl-
dents in any of the States as well.
The permit, certificates and tags
will not be returned until the driver
has made good the Judgment against
him in case of accident and until ne
has furnished evidence of his ability
to make good possible damages in
future accidents involving life or
property.
The law covers the automobile in
yolved in an accident or violation
named in the act as well as any and
all other automobiles owned by the
operator in the case. The owner OF
a feet OF taxicabs or trucks who fails
to make good a judgment for dam
ages caused by one of his cars must
surrender the registration certificates
of all motor vehicles owned by MIN,
putting them out of operation until
the damages are made good. -..
Proof of financial responsibility un-
der the law may be given In the
form of liability and property damage
insurance written by an approved COM
pany; in the form of bond OF an au-
thorized surety company, or bond FUR
nished by at least two private 1ndl-
viduals and secured by real estate, or
by cash deposit.
No Permanent Personnel Yet.
Although the law goes into effect
August l, funds have not yet been
provided by Congress for additional
personnel in the District Traffic De-
partment to administer the law. Three
or four additional clerical employees
will be required to check records, issue
orders and handle other details. Until
permanent employees are provided by
Congress, the work will be done by
extra clerks now employed in handling
tnree-year renewals of operators per-
mitS.
No additional personnel will be re-
uuired by the District Insurance De-
partment, according to John A. Mar
shall, director. This department will
be required to pass on the soundness
of the companies authorized to write
automobile policies and on the form
of the policies themselves, but will
have nothing to do with actual en-
forcement of the law.
Operation of the new law is illus
trated by the following typical cases:
Mr.. A, owner and operator of his
own automobile, is arrested, tried
and convicted of driving while drunk.
He has no liability insurance or other
proof of financial responsibility. I'M
mediately on conviction. he is called
on by the traffic department to sur
render his operators permit, auto
mobile registration card and license
plates. If he fails to turn them in
to the traffic department within the
time allowed in the notice, he becomes
subject to a penalty of not to exceed
500 a day for every day he with
holds them beyond the deadline des-
ignated. 1t now is illegal for him OF
for any one else to drive his auto
mobile or any other automobile he
may own or for him to drive any
motor vehicle. To regain possession
of his license, certificate and tags, he
must satisfy the traffic department
of his financial responsibility by tax
ing out insurance in the amount oil
at least $1,000 in case of personal IL
fury to or death of any one person;
at least $4,000 for injury to or death
Of two or more persons in any one
accident; and at least $1,000 for
damage to property resulting from
any one accident. Until he furnishes
such proof, his operators permit and
registration certificate remain sus-
pended and no other. motor vehicle
may be registered in his name.
Failure to Pay Judgment.
Mr.. B, who has no insurance or
other proof Of financial responsibility
drives through stop sign and crashes
into another car, injuring one of its
occupants. He is sued and judy
rnent is returned against him. AT
the end Of 80 days, he has not paid
the Judgment He is ordered to sur
render his permit, certificate and
plates. Before he ever can drive
again or before any car which he may
own can be driven again by any one.
Mr.. B not only must pay the full
amount of the judgment out of his
own pocket, but he must furnish proof
of his financial responsibility in case
OF future accident.
Mr.. c., a Washington motorist, Is
driving with his family on Wash
ington street, when his car is struck
by the automobile of visiting Mis-
souri, Tourist and he is injured. The
Missourian agrees to pay damages, but
does not do so and goes back to his
(See LIABILITIES, Page BAD