Contribution* on matter* of
interest to North Coroliniom
ore solicited ond published
TH E STATE
Published Weekly by Curl Goerch
Addrc** oil communication*
to THE STATE SOS lo«rcn
Building. Raleigh. N. C.
Repeal the Drivers’ License Law
If is
и
needless expense: practically worthless and a constant source of
unnoyance to everybody
BKI’ORK llir ptewiit set»» ion nf the North Caro-
linn General Assembly ncljrHirn*, we hope that
a hill
»
ill In- introduced to rciteal the driver*’
license In» which recently passed both branches of the
legislature.
This particular law — if permitted to remain
upon our statute books— will turn out to be one
of the biggest blunder* and unnecessary evils
ever perpetrated upon our people.
It is just another law. It merely means the expendi¬
ture of vast sums of money on the |>nrt of the state
government and the infliction of aggravating an¬
noyances upon our people as a whole.
Prior to it» adoption, we were of the opinion that
a law of this nature would be a good thing; that it
would help make the highways of North Carolina safer
and would bring about a material reduction in the
number of accidents which have taken place in the
past.
It will have very little effect, however, in that
direction.
The more study you give to this new law, the
more you are bound to realize that it practically
is worthless.
The greater proportion of accidents are not causes!
by ine\|»erienccd drivers: they are caused bv reckless-
ness, carelessness and drunkenness. Some of our so-
called best drivers could pom every test to which they
might be subjected in an examination for a license.
And the very next day— the very next hour, for that
matter— they might l*c guilty of some gross violation
of traffic laws, resulting in a serious accident to them¬
selves or to someone else.
Let us repeat:— the new drivers’ license law is
not going to put an end to automobile casualties.
Its effect in that direction will be negligible.
We do not need any more law* to make our high¬
ways safe: all we need to do is to enforce the laws
which already are in effect.
In order to do that, we’ve got to provide the proper
enforcement agencies.
The first thing to be done in this connection should
In- the employment of at least one hundred more high¬
way patrolmen, and three patrolmen should In- kept
upon the highways for the purpose of seeing that
tlie laws arc obeyed.
'I'he painted line which is to In- found in tlie middle
of the highway* on curves, si
иш
Id be continued over
straight stretches of rood as well.
К
very motorist
should l>c made to realize that he MUST stick to his
own side of the road: — the line would In- hi* barrier,
over which he must not
его»,
except when passing
another car. He al*o should be made to realize that
if he is found guilty of driving a cor with improper
lights, if his brakes are in bad shape, if he happens
to be under the influence of liquor, if he take* unneces¬
sary chances or if he makes himself
«
menace to the
safety of others in any other way, he would be dealt
with severely and would lie punished in accordance with
the provisions of the law.
Our principal trouble in the past has been that
the laws have not been enforced. If we’re not go-
ing to enforce laws which are already upon the
books, then what is the sense of passing more laws
of the same kind?
This new drivers’ license hill is going to prove a
source of irritation to everybody concerned. You’ll
hear more cussing about it than any other piece of
legislation which the General Assembly may puss dur
ing the present scion. That, in itself, wouldn’t lie
so had, provided that the desires! result* might be
obtained from this law. But, a* wc have tried to
show you, these results cannot |>ossihly lie hoped for.
This is a highly important matter, and we hope
that the members of the legislature will give it the
serious consideration which it merit*. We urge our
renders to do souk- investigating for themselves, and
sex- if our position is not well taken. And then — if
they agree with us — let them talk to their senators
and representatives and insist that the drivers’ license
law be repealed by all means.
Our highway* should, by all means, be made ns safe
as possible. We already have the necessary laws in
force: all that is necessary is to see that pro|ier means
of enforcement arc provided and that auto driver* arc
made to pay
Ни-
full penalty for all violations.
If that i* done, then wc can afford to throw the
new statute into the discard.
