Evening star., 1935-01-27
Officials Will Be Asked to
Aid in Solving Death
Toll Problem.
EDUCATIONAL SAFETY
CAMPAIGN SUGGESTED
All-Inclusive Program Would Be
Composed of Recommendations
From Many Sources.

Development of a master plan for
improvement of the traffic situation
in the District will be sought by Com
missioner Melvin C. Hazen in new
studies to be undertaken as a result
of the call of President Roosevelt for
reduction of the Nations traffic toll.
A group of District officials will be
directed to compile and study the
many proposals already in hand for
improvement of the local traffic situ-
alton and to recommend a combina-
ton plan for action by the Commits
Sioners.
Two other steps also were outlined
yesterday by Commissioner Hazen. He
said he would request the National
Conference on Street and Highway
Safety to send to the District all the
latest proposals for better traffic con-
troll.
Educational Drive Suggested.
Another plan is for creation Of an
educational campaign to impress upon
the public the necessity of obedience
to traffic rules. HaZen said he will
ask a group of persons qualified as
instructors to make a series of ad-
dresses before public school children
and citizens associations and trade
bodies on traffic matters. Details are
yet to be worked out
Il am highly gratified that Presi-
dent Roosevelt has centered national
attention on the grave problem of the
toll now being taken nationally in
traffic accidents" said Commissioner
HaZen.
1T is my hope that real progress
can be made this year in reducing the
traffic accident toll in the District,
The Presidents message should spur
local communities to meet this situ-
alton.
Some new legislation or regula.
ton may be needed for the District.
One OF the important phases of the
District problem, however, is to con-
vince the motorists and the pedes.
TRANS that traffic rules must be
obeyed. This must be done if any
great improvement is to be obtained.
Ideas of Officials Asked.
Corporation CounselE Barrett Pretty
man, Traffic Director William A. Van
Duzer, Maj. Ernest w Brown, SUPER
lntendent Of police. and members of
the Traffic Advisory Council will be
directed to present recommendations
on the several proposals now in hand.
Among these now under study are
proposals for impounding Of automo-
biles parked in such a manner as to
create traffic hazards; a ban on jay-
walking; semi-annual compulsory me-
chanlcal examination of all automo-
biles: prosecution on a charge of
negligent homicide" of persons held
responsible for deaths in automobile
accidents; enactment of laws requir-
ing financial responsibility on the part
OF automobile owners; requirement of
financial responsibility on the part
Of taxi cab operators: rules preventing
cruising by taxiS in the congeSted
downtown area; an increase in penal
ties for the more serious traffic law
offienses. and requirement of court
trials for persons accused of major
traffic rule violations.
Campaign Now Under Way.
The District now is conducting
campaign for better traffic law obedi-
ence and fines taken at Police Court
for violations have shown an increase,
Flying squads" of motorcycle men
now are assigned to patrol main traf-
flc arteries.
One Of the particular needs of the
District, Commissioner HAGEN de-
clares, is an increase in the force of
the Police Department so that more
attention can be given to serious traf-
flc offenSeS. At the present time, when
special attention is given to this mat
ter. insufficient men are available for
other police work, officials say.