The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-04-08


this week traffic safety conference
designed to formulate program for
improving highway conditions and
reducing the toll of deaths and in
juries from motor crashes and
tangles.
Already numerous highway safety
proposals have been advanced in
the present Congress. Some of these
will go farther than committee files.
The more constructive will I'M
doubted1y receive serious consider
alton. One of these latter is the
measure introduced by my col
league, Senator Truman, of Missou-
ri. The Truman bill would have the
effect of limiting to State borders
all vehicles in States which do not
require operators to show their
ability to drive. In other words, op-
orators in those States which are
without an adequate drivers license
law or have a license law without
mandatory examination featur. In
this connection, it may be noted that
some 100000 vehicles are now op-
Grated in II states which require no
license whatsoever.
To put it another way, in those
States person buys an automobile
and takes that road without showing
that he has good eyesight, is physi-
cally capable of driving, or that he
has any knowledge of the traffic
laws or is able to understand rea-
sonable warning and direction signs.
Here it might be pointed out that
the proposed legislation does not at
tempt to force the States to license
operators of motor vehicles. It SIM
ply provides that if operators are
not required to show their ability to
drive, they must remain within the
State borders In other words, it is a
limit on interstate movement, a
power that is invested in Congress.
Provision is made in Senator Tru-
mans bill to allow all states ample
time to meet it's requirements, it's
effective date being two years after
enactment.
An important measure has been
offered by Senator Russell, of Geor-
gia, which has the purpose of pro-
viding Federal funds for the estab-
lishment of State highway patrols.
I mention these two measures be-
cause they are indicative of Con-
gressional interest in the safety
problem and are evidence of what
may be expected in the future if
States and municipalities fail to
solve the problem.
AS one who has used an automo-
bile almost since it was first invent
ed, who has driven car in many
lands where natives had never seen
an automobile, and as one who ap-
preciates the benefits of highway
transportation, it is my earnest hope
that all State legislators will meet
the safety challenge of the day. The
way has been pioneered. They have
simply to draw on the experience of
the States which are endeavoring to
meet modern conditions in a mod
ern way, rather than to continue ig-
noring these conditions and hoping
for the best.
In expressing these thoughts am
not unmindful that our legislators,
National and State, are endeavoring
- to solve many new problems. One of
these is the question Of social secur-
ity. While differences of opinion ex-
list as to mediums and methods, there
is universal sentiment in favor of
some form of old-age benefits. This
is of vital Importance under the new
conditions of today. But it is equally
as important that we offer protec-
ton to our citizens to the end hat
they may live and enjoy the benefits
of their thrift. We cannot do so if
the existing national callousness to-
ward the highway problem con-
tinues.
Hand in hand with a minimum
number of sound laws belongs strict
and impartial enforcement by ex-
pCl1SllCSO JULIUS d1lu III d111Cu O114-
GERS. We must also have adequate
State patrols composed of men
whose presence on the highway give
a sense of security. Careful selection
and training of personnel will as
sure this type of patrol. A great
number of States already have them
in operation.
Too widespread contempt for
many of our folish and ill-advised
motor laws and regulations is, in my
opinion, one of the factors contrib
uting to the conditions of today.
Certainly in our cities too much time
is spent in enforcing parking laws
and too little time in enforcing more
important traffic violations that re-
tard the movement of vehicles, Gre