Evening star., 1936-10-01
IMMEDIATE ACTION
RECOMMENDED ON
DRIVERS PERMITS
Delay Caused by State Of.
ficiaIs After Conviction
Is Opposed.
COURT POWER FAVORED
TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE
Representatives From II States
Gather Here to Discuss
Traffic Laws.

Immediate suspension or revocation
Of drivers permits by the court in
which conviction is obtained, instead
of delayed action by State safety or
motor commissioner, was recommend
ed to the accident prevention confer
ence subcommittee on uniform traf1c
regulations today.
Secretary of Commerce Roper
greeted the representatives Of the II
States now having driver licensing
laws, who were invited to open the
two-day session in the Commerce
Department Building. Representative
O'Neal of Kentucky, chairman Of the
conference subcommittee, presided.
Legislature to Act.
The recommendation that permits
be suspended or revoked by the court
at the same time the offending driver
Is convicted came from George W.
Fleming representative Of Mayor Ed
ward Kelly of Chicago. This pro-
vision Is included in the drivers h-
cense law which the Illinois Legisla-
ture is expected to pass at its next
session.
Explaining that various forces which
heretofore have opposed any form OF
drivers license have been enlisted in
its support after a long campaign Of
education, Fleming said he was un-
able to understand why so many
States permit a driver convicted Of
speeding or reckless driving to con-
tinue to operate a car on the streets
of cities and State highways for a
week to 10 days before the suspension
or revocation becomes effective. He
said:
IF q driver deserves to have his
driving permit suspended or revoked.
we are in favor Of doing 1t right away
and, upon conviction, having him sur
render it Immediately to the court.
"A driver who is dangerous to the
community should not be permitted TO
operate q car on the highway while
the mechanics Of the law are being
carried out. Any delay may result in
more accidents"
Stricter Enforcement.
Fleming also pointed out that efforts
to increase safety in Chicago took the
form of stricter enforcement OF traf-
fic regulations. During the past two
years, he said. fixing of tickets de-
creased from 86 per cent to I per cent.
and revenues from fines went up from
s68. 900 to s386,000.
Besides Illinois, the States not hav-
ing driver license laws are Florida.
Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Mis-
souri,, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming.
Need for further effort toward in
creasing safety was brought home to
the conference by the announcement
of Labert st. Clair. conference director.
that during the past year two mem-
bers have been fatally injured in auto
mobile accidents.
Secretary Roper in greeting the
opening session declared that acci-
dent prevention was "the greatest
challenge before US, not only from
the standpoint of life. but of industry"
Nation Wide Action Stressed.
The Secretary stressed the need for
attacking the problem on q Nation
wide front. and added that during his
recent visit to Europe he found not
only officials connected with highway
traffic, but industrialists looking to the
United States for guidance In formu-
lating safety legislation.
T. nrif faiv u,aara fhn y,t,v,,
Der of automobiles is rapidly increas-
ing and bringing a corresponding in
crease In trafic casualties, largely be.
cause Of narrow roads and streets,
American safety methods are being
studied, he pointed out.
Indorsing Fleming's recommends.
ton for immediate suspension or
revocation of permits of drivers con.
victed Of serious trafic offenses. Asher
Frank, State safety director of Florida.
said that State motor patrol Is neces-
sary to enforce the laws placed on the
statute books.
The need for driver license laws in
all States Is demonstrated, he said.
by the record of tourist train:
casualties in Florida during the past
year. OF the "a tourists killed In
traffic accidents in Florida last year.
none had a drivers license, he asserted.
The meeting will continue tomorrow,
with representatives from 80 other
States, all of which have driver
license laws Of one type or another.
Discussion will be directed toward
finding q law suitable for Nation wide
application.