Evening star., 1946-08-13
Health Examinations
Face Some DRIVING
Permit Applicants


physical examinations if it is in
dicated by answers to questions
that an examination is desirable.
George E. Keneipp, director of the
Department of Vehicles and Traffic.
said today,
He said this precaution was agreed
on last night at a meeting of traf-
fc experts and A committee of ply
sicians appointed by the District
Medical Society to determine the
relation of physical handicaps to
driving
Mr.. Kenelpp said that at present
there are only two health questions
on applications for permits These
questions ask the applicant if he
has ever had an epileptic fit or any
other physical defect. In either
case he is required to list it and
give details
A drawback of this application
blank, Mr. Keneipp said, is that
many people don't have any idea of
what constitutes an epiletic fit.
Questions Drawn Up.
The committee of physicians
agreed last night to draw up a full
set of questions designed to give an
accurate picture of the physical
background of the applicant. He
will be required to fill out the ap-
plication under oath and if the an
swers to the questions show that an
examination is needed prior to iSsu-
ancs of a permit. the examination
will be given. it was said, under au-
thority vested in the Traffic Bureau
The questions. it was said would
cover such deficiencies as bad eye
sight, hernia, heart conditions. re-
fleX action and the condition of the
feet and hands, subjects not specifi-
cally covered in the present appli-
cation blanks.
Besides Mr. Keneipp. those at
tending last nights meeting in the
Medical Society Building. 1718 M
street NV. were DR.. William P
Herbst. jr.. president of the society:
Dr., Winfred OverholSer, superin-
tendent of St. Elizabeth's Hospital.
DR.. Wallace M. Yater. chairman of
the special committee. and Drs. Will
liam M. Ballinger, Oscar B. Hunter,
Arnold McNitt, William J. Tobin;
also Theodore Wiprud. secretary of
the society; Lindsey Rider. chief
permit examiner of the Bureau of
Vehicles and Traffic and John
Mitten, traffic engineer of the
bureau.
Mr. Keneipp also disclosed that
yesterday only 81 Of 80 persons
passed driving tests necessary to
obtain permits.
This is a very low percentage"
he said. Usually 25 to 80 per cent
Of applicants for permits fail to
pass, ana Yesterday we had more
than half" An official of the Bu-
reau said most of the reflections were
due to a poor knowledge of the
Districts traffic laws and in some
cases obvious inability to drive
car.
Conference Due Today.
Today Mr.. Keneipp may confer
with officials of the Navy Depart
ment on driving tests the Navy
gives to its civilian drivers. Mr..
Keneipp said the Navy Department
safety record is exceptionally good
and the District might learn some
thing from this system The traffic
director also will talk with officials
of the American Automobile Asso-
citation in an effort to have Prof
Amos A. Neyhart of Penn State Col
1c system when he arrives here in
September. Prof. NeWhart is recog-
nized nationally as a traffic expert
and is conSultant to the AAA in
connection with its safe driving
campaigns. it was said.
In another traffic development here
late yesterday. the Department of
Vehicles and Traffic predicted that
more than "A per cent of all cars
inspected this year would be rejected
as defective. and that a good per-
centage of automobiles involved in
inSo' s7INiNiCIto AOu4u nave IOlLFu
hydraulic brake hoses.
The percentage Of condemned cars
will rise above l per cent. he said.
and this must be expected until new
cars and parts for old ones begin
to come through in quantities.
James E. Clements. supervisor at
Safety Inspection Station No. 2
said records disclosed that cars from
Virginia and Maryland have more
defects than those OF other States
which are using inspection stand
ards like those of the District.
Mr.. Clements said he had a box
full Of samples Of deteriorated brake
hoses, many from cars which were
involved in accidents. He said such
hoses are dangerous and drivers
should have them inspected when
ever they take their cars to service
stations. After fatal accidents the
Accident Investigation Unit often
brings the cars involved to the
inspection stations and sometimes
the defective hoses are shown to
leak hydraulic fluids.