The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-10-10

BY w. Lee Elgin, Commissioner
of Motor Vehicles

Persons convicted Of Operating
under the Influence of Liquor, Fall
ing to Stop, or Identify himself, af-
ter an Accident, and any Motor We
hicle Violation in connection with
a fatal accident, do not know that
they are automatically subject to the
Financial Responsibility Act, and a
revocation of their license. They con-
tend had they known, they would
have appealed the Magistrates deci-
sion. Others who forfeited the collat-
eral, rather than return for trial,
would have stood trial, but were
under the impression that paying
the fine was the end of the matter,
and in some cases were told SO. In
serious cases, 1t Is only fair that
motorists be advised Of the conse-
quences of such convictions. This
Department receives numerous COM
plants after convictions on Failing
to Stop, or Identify, after an acct
dent. Many of these cases are merely
technical, and the defendants do
not realize the seriousness or conse-
quences until they hear from this
office, which is then too late to file
an appeal. In number of cases, a
fender has been slightly scratched,
or denied, and both drivers, think
ing little or no damage has been
done, drive on. Later, one will find
he has scratch or dent, and will
swear out warrant for the others
arrest--and on Technically, he is
found guilty. Sometimes, both driv-
ers stop, engage in an argument, and
then drive off without either giving
his name or address. Later on, one
or the other becomes incensed and
swears out warrant for the others
arrest, charging him with Failing to
identify himself. In both of the
above instances, one is as guilty as
the other, and if the person charged
with such an offense, would in like
manner, charge the other, I dare
say both would drop the charges--or
be dismissed by the Judge.
Often, driver has left the scene
Of the accident, after duly stopping,
in an effort to find or telephone an
officer, and upon returning find that
everyone has left the scene, but lat
er on warrant is served him for
Failing to identify himself.
A charge of this type, even though
ON technicality, puts the driver in
the same class as the man who
would injure person and deliber-
ately leave him lying in the highway
without assistance. The record
against him in this office is the same,
and the consequences are the same,
namely, revocation of his license,
and being subject to the Financial
Responsibility Act, which requires
him to file certificate of compul-
sorry insurance with this Depart
ment for a period of three years,
even though he does not apply for re
instatement for five OF ten years
hence.
To identify ones self means to
give name, address and drivers
license number. OF course, a good
way to do this is to show your driv-
er's license, which gives all the in
formation necessary under the law.
However, l remember a charge
being made because man refused
to actually show his license to the
other driver, although he had it in
his hand and held it up, and had
given his name and address, but in
his excitement, did not give him the
number of the Operators card. Yet,
this man was charged with Failing
to identify himself, which he could
not understand. However, any Police
Officer can demand to see the liz
cense.