Evening star., 1935-08-01
WEIGHT Of AUTO
LAW TO Be FELT
SOON IN DISTRICT
Liability Statute Effective,
but Week Is Required
to Clear Cases.
DRUNK-DRIVING CHARGE
FACES TWO IN WRECK
Ten Persons Reported Injured in
"a Accidents During "a
Hour Period.

Although the Districts new auto
mobile operators financial RESPONSE
bility law became effective Immediately
after midnight, its effect probably will
not actually be felt by motorists COM
ing under its scope for at least week.
it was indicated today. This is due
to the routine decided on in handling
and reporting cases.
Two cases of driving while drunk,
occurring shortly after midnight, were
to be in Police Court today. Under an
agreement which the court has with
the Office of Traffic Director William
A. Van DuZer, the latter would not
be notified for about five days in the
cases of persons convicted Of driving
while drunk. Another day will be re-
quired for the drunken driver TO be
notified by the traffic Office. After this,
he will be allowed three days in which
to turn in his permit, registration
certificate and automobile tags, as the
new law provides.
Board Retains Powers.
Meanwhile, it still would be per-
miSsible under the traffic laws for the
Board of Revocations and Restorations
to step In and take away the mans
permit. If this is not done. the driv-
ing permit and other credentials would
be returned to him under the re-
sponsibility law when he has complied
with it by taking out the necessary
insurance.
The court is TO notify the traffic
office within three days of convictions
for leaving the scene of an accident
after colliding. where a personal in
jury has been incurred. Only on
court conviction does the case ccma
under the new responsibility law.
The third class of case coming un-
der the law is that in which person
has failed to settle a court judgment
against him of s100 or more within
80 days.
Only Present Laws Apply.
Only the traffic laws already in
force will apply in case of death or
personal injury in an accident, unless
a court judgment is obtained against
a motorist involved. With the court
Judgment, the responsibility law re-
I quires the motorist to take out $4,000
insurance where one person is in
jured and $4,000 where two persons
are injured-to insure financial re-
spcnsibility in the event of an acci-
/ dent in the future.
1T ff0V1c on6 Pos
torations still will function as former
" in cases not coming under the re-
sponsibility law
Martin j. Lybek, As, of the 1900
block of Owens street northeast and
Elijah T. Bowman, 49. colored, 1900
block of T street, we're arrested early
today on charges of driving while
drunk after their machines are al
legged to have collided with parked
cars near Connecticut avenue and
Woodley road A colored woman rid
ing with Bowman was cut in the
miShap.
There was 4 total Of 10 persons in
jured in "a accidents during the "a
hour period ending at am. None
was seriously hurt. Four of the in
jured were children.
Car Hits Baby Carriage.
Mary johnson. colored. 10 months
old. was cut last night when an auto
mobile hit a baby carriage at New
Jersey avenue and G street. James
Smith. II. colored. who was pushing
the carriage. was slightly hurt, The
children. both Of whom live in the 100
block of Shots court. were given first
aid at Casualty Hospital.
Arrests for the "a hours ended at
8 am. totaled Sl4 OF these, So were
for speeding. Is for passing red lights
and 3 for driving while drunk.
Police Supg, Ernest W. Brown is
sued orders today for strict enforce
ment Of the law against double park
ing. The order instructed police to
see that commercial vehicles use curb
space whenever it is available.
The police chief today received a
letter from Ernest N. Smith, executive
vice president Of the American Auto
mobile Association. congratulating him
on the success of the traffic safety
campaign which began II days ago.