The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-08-21

vHHAAtV VAAAGtaA0 tkA tkl0 OtAAttu 6VHVG6 believe new laws are needed to bar unfit drivers from automobiles, and favor new legislation to curb oare- lessness by pedestrians.
 These were among important facts revealed today In analysis of datA obtained in 0 nationwide sur- vey sponsored by tho Fidelity @ Casualty Company,
 Study of opinions of more than l2b officials in charge of traffic reg ulation in states and cities ell over the country shows that new laws are desired by seventy-six to elin- mate unfit drivers; by fifty.soven to check tho use of mechanically de- fectivO cars; and by fifty to reduce pedestrian careleSSness.
 Pedestrian carelessness however has created c wider need for puh- lic education than any other phase of the traffic problem, 1t Is indi- oated; ii2 officials feel that that remedy is required.
 "A study of those representative, expert opinions discloses valuable information concerning approaches to the many separate phases of the accident problem" said officials of the Fidelity & Casualty Company today. "While tho first analysis of tho reports showed clearly that OK. cesSlve speeding is recognized as the most dangerous form of driving by ct least half the authorities only thirty.six feel the need of now leg- iSlation to check 1t. More rigid en- forcement is desired by io7 and pulp lic education by ninety-nine.
 "The most generally approved punishment of drivers who violate traffic regulations is disclosed as ro- vocation of licenses: l07 of the i27 officials favor that penalty. Fines are recommended by 7b: imprison- ment by 50; educational lectures by 6i; impounding of cars by 6l: vis- ible marking of vlolators' cars by 26; and compulsory visits to hoSpi- tals and Eaorgues by Il. As Q means of keeping account of offenses, 60 authorities endorse the system of notationS on licenses.
 Tn the matter of mechanical dee fleets, bad brakes brought 02 de- mands for more rigid enforcement and glaring lights brought 90 such demands. Bad steering gear, on the other hand, listed by 77 officials as requiring stricter enforcement, is named as tho subject of needed leg- iBlation by ~ officlnls-mor0 than the number who want new laws covering any other single meohan- ioal defect.
 Signals Cause Trouble
 "The point on which public edu- cation appears to be most badly needed-after pedestrian careless- ness and excessive speeding-is turning without signals, cited by 100 officials. Only 10 want new laws on this, while 04 desire stricter on. forcement.
 "This survey reveals that respon. sible authorities, in close touch with the traffic problem, feel that 1t can be solved, if approached wisely and determinedly. To overlook the necessary knowledge, or to relax in the determination to solve 1t as quickly as possible, would be c na- tional crime"
 Traffic officials who cooperated in the survey were in overwhelming agreement that drivers who commit violations which might cause acci- dents should be considered guilty even though they are fortunate enough to escape the actual acci- dents. One hundred and nineteen oflcials agered on the point; only five expressed dissent.
 "Rigid enforcement can check the most dangerous forms of improper driving" declared Robert II. Hath away, lieutenant of traffio police, Peoria. "But not without help from the courts. Put intoxicated drivers and spedeers in jail, and this will stop It."
 "Our problem is first to secure public acceptance of the fact that causing trafilc accidents or reckless operation of Q motor vehicle Is url- social, just as is the causing of loss of life by any other means" asserts William M. Greene, director of safe- ty education, Connecticut depart- ment of motor vehicles. He believes the situation could be helped by four-lane roads with safety zones where trafflc flow is heaviest.
 "One-way streets will help" says Mayor Thomas E. Latimer of Min- neapolis.
 More policemen are needed. not so much to make arrests, as to pre- vent spedeing by their presence" asserts J. c. Maish, secretary, safe- ty council, Cincinnati.
 Recommending educational lec- lures, and then Imprisonment inc stead of fines, F. A. Warzyn, director of motor vehicle inspection, Okla homa highway department, de- clares that many drivers have be- come "just plain indifferent and have lost all sense of common courtesy"
 Penalties Favored
 Drastic penalties, heavy fines, workhouse sentences as circum- stances warrant" are recommended by Frank P. Forestal, superintendent of police, Minneapolis.
 Going too fast close to parked cars, Is considered the most trouble some form of dangerous driving in l a u.afSm a4a.AmR aAma