The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-12-02

Acting under statutory authority which gives the commissioner of motor vehicles the power to suspend or revoke the license of any motor vehicle operator flor any cause that he may deem sufficient, with or without Q hearing" orders have been issued by Commissioner John T. Mccarthy of the state department of motor vehicles to his hearing deputies that such action shall be taken in all cases where violations of "dimout" regulations and other traffic control measures designed to promote the war effort justify such action.
 "The proper sources of military authority, the State Defense Coun- ell representing the Offlce of Civil- ian Defense and our Connecticut state trafac commission. represent ing statutory traffic authority, have given considerable time and thought to current subjects of war-effort in- terest involving traffic" explains Commissioner Mccarthy in a state ment regarding this policy, and a we'll defined program has been de- signed The army has insisted on extending dim-out areas and given good reasons for so doing.
 No Real Hardships
 "Connecticut citizens, in general, will cooperate we are sure. Some inconvenience will be suffered but no real hardshipS. Those who do not cooperate willingly will be prop erly dealt with by customary en- forcement measures which our de- pertinent will support. In instances where violators apparently escape police action and We have sufficient cause. we will act independently"
 Commissioner Mccarthy was ask cd to define exactly on what basis the department would act in this promised suspension program.
 Tt is difficult for me at this time" |" replied the commissioner, ito de- fine exactly what tolerances will be permitted. The situation may be changed from time to time as ad- justments become necessary on the basis of experience. Therefore, I can hardly say now what we con- slider is the safe rate of movement for a vehicle"
 Tn general We will follow cur rently effective regulations estab- lished by the State Defense Coun- gil and the state traffic commission acting in accordance with official army requirements. The initial reg ulation set, thirty (30 miles as the maximum safe rate of speed. under the most favorable conditions, for night travel and thirty-five (35) miles during daytime"
 Special Regulations
 'Reduced street illumination and restricted efficiency of motor vehicle headlights unquestionably make rapid movement of motor vehicles a decided danger to all types of traf- flc on city streets. It is obvious that unusual situations, such as the cur rent emergency. calls for special regulations. Motorists must expect to be asked to depart from habits permitted during normal times"
 ''The sooner we all get into a real war-effort frame of mind the sooner this war is going to be ended-vic- toriously. Those who will not vol- untarily obey safety regulations planned for the public benefit will find themselves removed from traf- fic as operators. know Of no other course our department can take, even though there may be those who will consider that the action promised is arbitrary. We are at war and must govern ourselves &C., cordingly."
 Protect Pedestrians
 Although the first figures on acci- dents in relation to dimout regula- tons are only now being accumu-