Evening star., 1941-02-08
Advisory Unit Backs
Report by Citizens
On Traffic VioIafors
Education, Not Punitive
Action, Held TO Be Cool;
Opposition Is Voiced

The Traffic Advisory Council today
prepared to submit to the District
Commissioners a detailed plan for
creation of a Citizens Traffic Edu-
cation Committee to report moving
traffic violations following approval
of the proposal last night at spe-
cial meeting of the group at the
District Building.
Undeterred by the opposition of
Washington I. Cleveland, manager
of the District division of the Amer
ican Automobile Association: Harry
Davis, general manager of the Dia-
mond Cab Co., and guest, 1t.
Frank C Kreml. head of the North
western University Traffic Institute,
the council voted overwhelmingly in
favor of such committee.
Organized along the lines Of the
old committee of 100 that func-
toned here about five years ago
the new plan places its emphasis on
education. with no punitive action
provided against motorists reported
by members of the citizens COM
mittee.
Maximum Membership, 500
The group would have member
ship of not more than 500 to be
appointed by the Commissioners on
recommendation of the Traffic Ad-
visory Council The plan adds that
the council shall consider for such
recommendation persons who may
volunteer, who may be suggested by
any civic. fraternal, patriotic or
business organiZa ton or be recon-
mended by any member of the
council"
These citizen observers" would
report on postal cards addressed to
the secretary of the council viola
tions of any of the II tarffic regula-
tions printed on the cards. These
are driving too fast. failing to make
full stop at stop sign, failing to obey
traffic light signals. violation of
the right of way regulation. turning
from the wrong lane. weaving ir
traffic, driving on the wrong side
of the street, driving without proper
lights, illegal passing of other auto
mobiles. not giving the required
signal in turning or in pulling from
the curb and driving the wrong
wav on a one-way street.
On receipt BY the secretary of the
council of such report. it would
be turned over to the Director OF
Vehicles and Traffic. who in turn
would write letter to the owner OF
the car reported. calling attention
to the reported violation and urg-
ing a more careful observance of the
traffic regulations.
Nom Punitive Character Emphasized
Such reports, it was emphasized
could not be used by the traffic de-
partment or the police department
in any punitive action against the
motorist reported. In addition
tabulation of the information shown
on the cards would be made by the
traffic department and made avail
able to the police department But
the cards themselves would be con-
fidential and not accessible to the
general public.
Each member of the citizens
group would bear on his automobile
license tag a special sign with the
words. Citizens Traffic Education
Committee" or the initials, "CTC.'
These would be numbered and the
record of such serial number would
b eplaced in the Office of the Direc-
tor of Vehicles and Traffic and made
available to the public. No special
privileges or immunity would be
granted the possessor of any such
sign.
George E. Keneipp, manager of the
Keystone Automobile Club, presided