Evening star., 1936-02-07
ELDR|DCE URGES
NEW TESTS FOR
PERMIT RENEWALS
Would Re.Examine All Drlv-
ers to Determine Fitness,
He Tells House.
STAR AUTO EDITOR ASKS
PEDESTRIANS BE AIDED
Better Intersection Control and
Increased Traffic Force Urged
by G. Adams Howard.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

REORGANIZATION of all automobile
drivers every three years to determine
their fitness to continue to operate a
motor vehicle was advocated today by
M. o. Eldridge, assistant director OF
traffic, at a hearing before a special
subcommittee of the House District
Committee studying traffic conditions.
The re-examination, Eldridge said,
should be made at the time a driver
appears for renewal Of his permit.
Eldridge also declared that drivers
involved in traffic accidents should
be given an examination to ascertain
their physical fitness to operate
car.
More Examiners Needed.
"Very often" he said, persons IN
volved in serious accidents lose an eye
or an arm, or are incapacitated IN some
way to interfere with the proper opera
tion of a machine. The Traffic De-
partment has no way of finding this
out unless the person is called in for
an examination"
Neither of these proposals can be
carried out. Eldridge explained, with
but a substantial increase in the per-
konnel of the Traffic Department. The
staff of examiners, he said, would have
to be doubled.
Eldridge gave the subcommittee a
detailed explanation of the permit
system, during which he disclosed that
1,O13 permits either were revoked or
suspended last year for various
offenses, and about 500 restored. One
hundred and sixty-five of the revoca-
tions or suspensions were for ac-
cumulated cases Of speed and 176 for
driving while drunk.
"In the last six weeks. we have been
trying to break up speeding by suspend
ing the permits of drivers convicted
for violating the speed regulations
During that period 139 permits have
been suspended.
The results of this action have
been very satisfactory. People are
beginning to realize they must keep
within the speed limit"
Among Eldridge's other suggestions
was one that would require driver
to have a "thumbnail' photograph Of
himself attached to his permit to
operate a car.
In addition Eldridge asked that the
maximum penalty for reckless driving
be increased from a $l00 fine or 80
days in Jail to a $500 fine and six
months imprisonment.
Pedestrian Protection.
Better protection of pedestrians at
light-controlled intersections and an
increase in the traffic enforcement
force of the Police Department were
recommended by George Adams How
ard. automobile editor of The Wash
ington Star. who directed the papers
recent traffic safety campaign.
Howard also urged creation of more
one-way streets and putting part
time one-way thoroughfares on full
time basis, as well as modification of
the regulations to prohibit parking
within 40 feet Of an intersection. Ex-
listing regulations allow parking to
within Is feet of an intersection.
Use of the amber light as a signal
traffic to stop and give the walker an
opportunity to cross an intersection
without lodging vehicles making turns,
Howard declared, would make pedes-
trian control practicable.
Pedestrians should be given an op-
portunity to cross an intersection
safely" he said. Pedestrians would
obey the regulations ii given q real
opportunity to cross"
After complimenting Traffic Director
William A. Van Duzer for suspending
the permits Of drivers convicted on
speeding charges, Howard said the
"crux" Of the Districts traffic ills is
the lack Of an adequate traffic force.
An increase in the Police Department,
he declared, would result in better en-
forcement.
Howard Hits Favoritism.
Expressing the belief that no
favoritism should be shown in en-
forcement of traffic regulations, How
ard declared:
IF privileged group, and in WASH
ington it has beef a large one, feels
it can get off. careless driving is going
to continue. 1t has been proved in
other cities, where favoritism is not
known, that deaths and accidents are
low.
washington, as the Nations Capt.
tai, should be the model city in all
respects. This is particularly true in
making its traffic safe as is humanity
possible. Every State in the Union
Is interested at this time in the fight
against accident on the streets and
highways. II a city as large as
Washington with its population so
motorized can show a way to make its
thoroughfares reasonably safe the rest
Of the Nation will gladly follow the
example"
A bill amending the Districts un-
employment compensation act to ex-
empt religious institutions and nom
profit making colleges and universi-
ties from paying the employers pay
roll tax was ordered favorably re-
ported today by the House District
Committee
Chairman Norton called special
meeting Of the committee to consider
the bill because she was anxious to
have it placed on the House calendar
in time for consideration Monday,
the next District day.