Evening star., 1941-02-06
Speeding Big Factor
In Heavy Traffic
Toll, Nelson Says
e.
! Moximum Penalty Is
Too Low, Judge Tells
House Subcommittee
Continued From Page B-1.)

sition to uniform penalties, ex-
planned that he gave individual con-
sideration to each case. and added:
I'm not going to sit on the bench
and fine one man who has money
$25 and another the same amount
who has wife and children to
support. That is not equality"
Special Privileges" Assailed.
Judge Casey also told the subcom-
mittee that as long as there is
group" in Washington with special
privileges it would not get any,
where in a campaign for traffic
safety.
What special group is shown
special privileges?" Representative
Schultz asked.
THE diplomatic group" he re-
piled. "Week after week you pick
up the newspapers and you find
list of people at the embassies and
foreign leagtions who are excused
for some violation simply because
they are entitled to it,"
Judge Casey itimated that car
with low number or diplomatic tag
Is given special consideration by the
police.
1--WE have got to recognize diplo-
matte immunity" interrupted Police
Supt. Ernest w. Brown, when diplo-
mats violate the traffic regulations
We report these violations to the
Commissioners and they in turn re-
BORT them to the State Department.
Often we get an apology.
THE low numbers don't mean
anything in the Police Department
We would arrest the driver of a car
bearing tag No. just as quick as
we would the driver of car bearing
tag No. 1901.
Van Duzer Offers Suggestions.
Traffic Director William A. Van
Duzer made IS suggestions for i'm
proving traffic conditions. Chief
among them were:
= l. That the number of traffic
policemen be increased.
) 2. That the number of judges in
Police Court be increased.
8. That Congress appropriate an
additional $4,000 a year for the
purchase Of traffic lights and to
make 'refinements' to those lights
now in operation.
4. Funds to replace temporary
traffic signs with ones that can be
used for at least eight years.
5. Chemical tests for intoxicated
drivers.
6. Installation of additional park
ing meters.
7. An increased penalty for first
offense speeding.
Complaints Against Buses.
Representative Schultz said he
had received complaints that inter
urban buses were occupying too
much space at the curbs in the
business section and that CONNER
cial vehicles are interfering with
traffic during rush hours by making
deliveries. He also declared he be-
iieved the zoning regulations should
be amended to require that every
new home or apartment. house or
commercial building provide Off
street parking facilities for the ten
ants.
Richard B. Keech, corporation
counsel, promised survey would be
made to find out why Washington
merchants can't make deliveries be-
fore or after the morning and after
noon rush hours to prevent traffic
congestion in the business section.
I'VE must do something to control
speed" declared Inspector Arthur
E. Miller in charge of the accident
investigation unit of the Metro
politan Police Department.
The most effective remedy is more.
motorcycle men," he said. ITO do
good job we need 100 more"
Inspector Miller told the subcom-
n1ittee he had made an ANALYSIS of
the traffic deaths in December and
January and learned that of the
IS who died drivers of automobiles
were responsible for 13 of the deaths.
Inspector Miller also declared his
analysis showed that 10 of the 25
deaths were caused by speeding
automobiles and that II of the
deaths occurred between 7 and
10 pm. .,.
Lighting Survey Asked.
Representative Bates, Republican
OF Massachusetts,, who has insisted
that better street illumination might
reduce traffic accidents. urged that
= comprehensive survey be made to
determine whether the streets of the
city are adequately lighted.
Mr.. Bates said he had made a
study of the cost of street lighting
IN washington for the past 10 years
and discovered that the street light
ing bill was 10 per Get less than it
was in 1880. He asked if the re-
duction meant there is less street
illumination than in 1880. He was
assured that the streets are better
lighted than they were 10 years ago.
: Capt. H. c. Whitehurst. director
Of highways, told the subcommittee
his bureau in cooperation with the
Department of Motor Vehicles and
the Federal Bureau of Public Roads
is making a comprehensive survey,
designed to solve Washington
traffic problems and that the pre-
liminary report which will contain
some definite recommendations, will
be made public in April
] Senator Reynolds inquired if the
report would show the need of un-
derground parking spaces in the
vicinity of theaters and public con-
gested sections of the city Capt.
Whitehurst assured him that it
would.