The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-11-21
GOVERNOR MOVES TO CUT DOWN
ACCIDENT TOTAL


Safety Committee Again Seeks
License Suspension For Motor
Vehicle Violators
In an effort to hold down the ris-
ing tide of fatal traffic accidents
throughout the State, Governor
O'Conor's Maryland Traffic Safety
Commission has petitioned the Com
missioner Of Motor Vehicles to en-
force again the policy of suspending
licenses for seroius violations of the
Motor Vehicle laws.
November and December have al
ways been the most dangerous
months for accidents, the Governor
and the Safety Commission point
out, and with the greatly increased
travel on the roads this year, it is
almost certain that the death list
will be higher unless definite steps
are taken.
Encouraged by the remarkable re-
suits obtained in July through the
policy of suspending licenses, which
resulted in a sharp decrease in the
number of deaths throughout the
State, the Commission is very hope
full that a renewal of this policy by
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
will result in the saving of many
lives on Maryland roads during
these two months.
In making the request for stricter
enforcement A. Burton Metzger,
Chairman of the Enforcement Com
mittee, said "The Governors Safety
Commission has had proof that
strict enforcement, including revo-
cation and suspension of drivers Ii
censes will help reduce accidents.
During July of this year, the
motoring public was warned of the
penalties to be inflicted, and they
needed that warning, with the result
that there was reduction of fifteen
less Marylanders killed in traffic ac-
cidents that month, than in the cor
responding month of the year before
There, has, however, been steady
rise in fatalities since that time and
it again becomes necessary to apply
! drastic measures.
| "In the month of July, the news
papers performed highly commend
able campaign in cooperation with
the Safety Commission, and their
efforts were rewarded by the fact
that many lives were saved, and a
stable reduction was made in per-
sonal injury and property damage.
Continuing, Mr.. Metzger said:
with the tremendous increase in
motor vehicle registration, and trav-
ell increasing daily, it behooves
every motorist to exercise extreme
care. Upon conviction of charges
that produce accidents ordinarily,
the Commission has requested the
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to
make the guilty driver show cause
why his license should not be SUI
spended.
100000 more vehicles are on the
highwya today, than there were a
year ago at this time, and unless ex-
IRENE caution is taken, it is predict
ed that So persons will meet their
death in traffic accidents in Novem-
Der, and like number is predicted
to die in December. These figures
are startling, and no one can deny
the necessity Of removing the care
less driver from the highway who
insists on abusing the privileges of
operating motor vehicle. The laws
are made to insure safety and they
must be observed to make driving a
comfort and pleasure.
1--WE are hopeful, he said, "the
newspapers will be helpful again in
warning our people to desist these
bad practices. With careless motor
lists conscious OF the fact that their
actions will not be tolerated, there
will be little excuse for them to be-
come involved.