Evening star., 1942-02-13
Share.the.Cdr
Plan Backed by
Traffic Council
Proposal Includes
Special Privilege of
Parking on Mall

A "share-the-car" plan, including
free parking spaces on Mall road
ways and grass plots for those par
ticipating, today bore the approval
of the Traffic Advisory Council,
voted unanimously last night after
the proposal was outlined by Traf-
f1c Director William A. Van Duzer,
1t was acted upon by the full
council without being referred to a
committee when Mr.. Van Duzer
explained District Commissioner
Young had asked hi INTO urge a
prompt expression by the advisory
body.
The tentative plan Is as follows:
1. Commissioner Young, in his
capacity as Federal co-ordinator of
civilian defense for the Metropolitan
Area. will distribute to all afraid
wardenS of Washington and vicinity
questionnaires designed to ascertain
the driving schedules and destina-
tions of persons using automobiles
in going to and from work. The
forms will bear a message from Mr..
Young pointing out that a sharing
arrangement would save tires and
reduce congestion In the downtown
area and will ask citizens to state
whether they would carry extra
passengers living and working In the
same neighborhoods If the favor
were reciprocated.
q The wardens will sort the re-
turned questionnaires and endeavor
to effect arrangements among per-
sons who appear to have trans
portation habits in common.
Special Parking Cards.
g. Those who agree to carry at
least two other persons will be
issued cards testifying to their CO.
operation to be displayed on the
windshield. These cards will entitle
the holder to parking space in
the Mall area, either on driveways
where parking is banned at present
or on the grass.
Mr. Van Duzer emphasized city
officials could not authorize parking
on the east-west roadways or grass
plots because they are under Federal
Jurisdiction. He told the council
it was his understanding Mr.. Young
would approach Secretary Of the
Interior Ickes on the matter.
The traffic director said the pro-
posal was likely to offend the
esthetic senses of some, but said he
considered the move justified by the
wartime emergency. He said ap-
proximately 1900 parking spaces
would be available on the roadways
and an additional $3.50 on the grass.
An average of three to four pas
sengers per automobile is the goal.
he declared, reminding that recent
survey showed an average Of but 1T
per cent. Asked what guarantee was
provided card holder would live up
to his pledge and not take a parking
space without bringing at least two
passengers downtown Mr.. Van Duzer
admitted there was none, legally.
81 believe that morally 95 per cent
of the people would play fair with
it," he said.
Liability Question Raised.
The question of a drivers legal
liability for damages if a non-paying
passenger were injured was dis
cussed. There appeared informal
agreement that enactment of a
guest passenger" law, similar to
those in effect in numerous States,
to save the operator from liability
in cases where only contributory
negligence could be shown would be
advisable. This phase of the mater
was referred to committee
The QUESTIONABLE form proposed
includes query as to whether the
automobile owner carries liability
insurance.
Mr.. Van DuZer also asked and
received Endorsement of a $50 am
$3.50 pm. schedule for public schools
as an aid to spreading the load
carried by mass transportation
facilities. This was recommended
by the council several years ago,
but the traffic director said present
conditions made it more desirable
than ever in his opinion.
The council approved COM
mittee report recommending that
collateral charges for trafic Of
lenses be adjusted ito conform to
the usual fines" 1t was the sense
of the group that while it did not
oppose the higher collateral rates
fixed by the Commissioners, it felt
that inaSmuch as judges sitting in
Traffic Court were not disposed to
assess fines substantially higher
than formerly, the court should
not be congested by large numbers
of offenders waiting to get back most
of the collateral they had posted.
Cites Time in Court.
The reporting committee was in
structed to acquaint the Commits
sioners with the view in an effort
to bring about either higher fines
or lower collateral.
Arthur E. Miller, police inspector
In charge of traffic, estimated the
number of policemen obliged to
spend time in Traffic Court had in
creased approximately 300 per cent
since the higher collateral charges
were established
Other action by the council in
cluded Endorsement of the measure
making tire and accessory thefts
felonies which has been passed by
the House, and acceptance of a
report from DR.. w. Warren Sager,
chairman Of a committee on auto
mobile accidents of the Medical
Society of the District.
The report submitted by DR.. Sa-
ger included recommendation Of
eye re-examinations with each
driving permit renewal, laboratory
tests for intoxication under qualified
supervision with allowances for
borderline cases. and a change in
eyeglass regulations for drivers to
cover persons who have glasses but
do not need them while driving.