Evening star., 1943-07-20
Traffic Council Backs
Scientific Tests in
Drunk Driver Cases

Legislation requiring a scientific
chemical test for persons suspected
of driving while intoxicated was
favored by the District Traffic Coun-
Gil at a meeting in the Municipal
Building last night.
Harry Wender, chairman OF the
councils Legislation and Enforce
ment Committee, in making the
committees motion, said the only
objection to such legislation Is a
legal technicality, in that it is un-
constitutional to force a man to
testify against himself.
1t was pointed out by Mr.. Wender
that several Municipal Court judges
have said that they were in favor
of such an act, and he claimed no
case has been held unconstitutional
in any jurisdiction.
Annual Report Presented.
Arthur j. Sundlun, council chair
man. introduced the annual report
of the Traffic Advisory Council.
The report recently was submitted
to the District Commissioners for
approval 1t recommends the estab-,
lishment of a public safety educa-
tion department. properly stated
and with adequate funds for an
effective safety publicity program"
Mr.. Sundlun, who is also chair
man of the Traffic Advisory Coun-
cil pointed out that that council
had conducted safety education
program every year and that due
to Washington's growth, the group
deemed it advisable to employ a
full-time staff for that purpose.
In presenting the committees re-
port, Mr.. Wender recommended
that the council go on record favor
ing the restora ton of discretionary
powers of the Board of Revocation
and Restoration of Motor Vehicle
Operators Permits in regard to cases
of speeding This would allow the
board to use its own discretion in
enforcing permit suspensions of per-
sons violating the 35-mile-an-hour
national speed limit. The present
suspension period in such cases is
80 days, and this action would allow
the reduction of this period in cases
where the board thinks discretion
should be used.
Would Broaden Hit Run Scope.
The committee also recommended
revision of the traffic regulation
governing hit-and-run cases and
driving while either under the in
huence of liquor or narcotics. to
include streetcars and bicycles. The
present law covers the operators of
motor vehicles only. A committee of
Mr.. Wender, John ODea, E. D.
Merrill and Inspector Arthur E.
Miller was appointed by Mr.. Sund-
lun to investigate the matter.
Drafting of bill requiring that
all bicycles in the District be reg
istered by the Department of We
hicles and Traffic and for the is
suance of license plates and regis
tration certificates after the vehicle
had passed mechanical inspection
was Endorsed by the council. The
annual fee would be 25 cents and
the registration period will extend
from September to August 30.
Mr.. Wender said that mot only
will such an act give the bicycle
rider a sense of responsibility, in
that he can be traced if he ignores
traffic regulations, but it will aid in
the recovery of stolen bicycles" He
also pointed out that in a recent
survey made by the. American Auto
mobile Association, 81 per cent of
the cities included in the survey
had such legislation.
White Coats Recommended.
Inspector Miller said he had
tentative plan whereby the 13 police
precincts would hold classes for
testing and instructing persons in
the use of bicycles.
A letter written by La Rue Van
Meter, recommending the issuance
of white coats, white reflector belts
and white gloves to policemen
serving at night. was read to the
council by Mr. Wender. The recon-
mendation was adopted after dis
cussion.
An appropriation by Congress for
the continuance of the Motor Vehi-
Gle Parking Agency also was asked
by the council as we'll as the in
vestigation of the possibility of
allowing persons of 16 to 18 years
of age to operate trucks in the Dis
trict in view of the present man
power shortage
The councils thanks were ex-
tended to garage owners in Wash
lngton and nearby Maryland and
Virginia for their 100 per cent CO.
operation in aiding the Accident
Investigation Unit of the Police
Department. They have reported
every evidence of automobiles dam
aged in accidents or struck by
bullets and have aided the investi-
cation unit in solving many hit and
run cases.