The people's voice., 1959-01-09

Equitably increased tax collection:
from trucks are another. 1t must bt
remembered that we all enjoy the
benefits of these new, improved high
ways and must pay for them as we go
One further spot where you can
assist our highway program is by
studying and eliminating those laws
which you deem to be responsible fo1
delays in construction. Savings in
time and money must be balanced
against what protection is afforded
by those laws. Only you can make
this decision.
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY
After national reduction of 21
per cent in highway traffic fatalities
during 1857, Montana held its own
this past year as 191 died, compared
with 21O the previous year. This
shows that efforts toward improved
traffic safety do pay off, both in
lives and dollars.
During 1857 Montana established a
record low of 81 deaths per 100 mil
lion vehicle miles. The figure for
1858 is deaths per 100 million
vehicle miles. Ever-increasing num-
bers of vehicles are using Montana
highways. Therefore, constructive
legislative action is essential if we
are to reduce Montana's traffic death
toll. Speed and drinking are the two
leading causes of accidents in Mon
tana, according to accident analyses
made by the Montana Highway Patrol.
In view of this I want to recon-
mend the adoption of a definite 65
mile an hour daylight speed limit.
This should be matter of state law.
1t is evident that the 65 miles an hour
day time limit should get large share
of the credit for the 1857 fatality
reduction.
You should also consider the adop-
tion of the implied consent law as an
added deterrent and control of the
drinking driver. The outstanding fea-
ture of such law is the provision
that person believed to have been |
while driving must submit |
to a blood alcohol test. Refusal to
submit would result in loss of driving |
privileges.
The Montana Highway Patrol, al
though understaffed, deserves large
share of the credit for the improve
ment of our traffic safety problem.
Presently, there are 95 full-time traf-
fic officers. Authoritative studies by
both the National Safety Council and
5he Northwestern University Traffic
Institute show that Montana should
nave minimum of 80 more patrol
men on traffic duty.
You have an, opportunity to make
saving by establishing permanent
ports of entry. These could be used
% collect tax revenues under the
Gross Vehicle Weight Law, and also
or passing out tourist information. !
This would be a combination of tax
Collecting, welcoming and collection {
# tourist data.
BOATING SAFETY
The great increase in boating 6
Montana has brought :
bout a severe need for safety legis- !
alton. Since this problem is a COM !
1on one among states, suggested leg :
station has been prepared by the q
,ouncil of State Governments. This .
egislation ties in with the Federal :
'oating Act of 1858. Enactment of !
egislation along these lines would
i've Montana a uniform numbering >
ystem for boats, a uniform accident =
eporting system and an exchange of .
lch data with the Federal Govern
tent. Responsibility for enforcement Il
these provisions should go to al .
eady established law enforcement
At the same time you should pro- !,
de that no boat be issued a license Il
Mess it is already on the property II
* rolls. This is only fair, since some ~
e and some are not. Responsibility n
n administration of the licensing
DIVISIONS of the state boating act "
ould lie with the State Board of
qualization. m
TATE LANDS p'
We are all we'll aware that land f.
,lues have continued to rise in
ontana. Therefore, l would suggest 70
at you review the income that the e.;
ate of Montana now receives from Il.
tn farming and grazing lands. This e