DANGEROUS MOTOR-DRIVING
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SJE,—To those who are not indifferent to the discomfort, distress and suffering caused widely by some of the conditions under which motor traffic is conducted at the present time, it is a matter of surprise that the authorities arc content to allow this question to settle itself. It is often tacitly assumed that any criticism of these conditions arises from an unsym- pathetic attitude towards the motor vehicle on the roads. Writing as one who has driven cars for many years, I plead for some amelioration of the state of things on our main roads, incident to the incompetence, recklessness and lawlessness of too many of those who drive motor vehicles on them. The roll of accidents increases pari passu with the augmenting number of such drivers, and it is apparent that careful and considerate motorists are in the circumstances, equally with others, continually exposed to the risk of serious accidents.
Doubtless the issue of licences only to fit persons would tend to limit accidents. Apart from the happy boy of fourteen who is licensed to tear through traffic on his motor-cycle,
new driving-licences are issued to other persons who arc neither interviewed nor in any way tested as to their fitness and ability to manage motor-cars—whether light or high- powered. Inexperience, however, is by no means the worst fault exhibited on the road. Recklessness and the neglect of the ordinary rules of the road are responsible for a greater number of accidents. Surely something can be done, and that promptly, to render motoring safer than it is now.
I do not discuss the subject of speed beyond urging that drivers should be made definitely aware that the laws— whatever they be—and the rules of the road arc to be observed. These are sometimes called " recognized " rules. Most of them are quite well known, but they are not likely to be recog- nized until they are stated and enforced by some official authority. It should not be a matter of chance, but should be understood by drivers that if they transgress the laws, or disregard properly authorized rules, or are reckless of the safety of others, they must bear full responsibility for any accident that they are party to at such time. The question of responsibility on the part of chauffeurs in charge of motor vehicles belonging to other persons may present some diffi- culty ; but they are, in general, competent drivers and according to my observation arc careful users of the road. Those who are mainly responsible for the discomfort and danger so frequently experienced on the high roads are obviously owner-drivers, who are either reckless, or unduly elated by the power they possess of rapid movement..
As well as being covered for third-party risks, an owner. driver is able to shelter himself, or herself, under an insurance colicy against responsibilities incurred whilst deliberately breaking every reasonable rule of conduct. Until all such drivers are forced by considerations of personal interest to recognize the proper use of the roads by themselves and others, there can be no security or comfort to those who arc them- selves careful drivers. The present heavy premiums for motor-car and motor-bicycle insurance afford eloquent testi- mony to the risks to which all their users are exposed ; but may it be asked whether Insurance Companies are serving the community well—even if they are within their legal rights— in indemnifying policy-holders for consequences incurred by them in the course of breaches of the law ?—as, for example, an accident occurring during excess of the legal speed-limit, so far almost the only " recognized " rule of driving we have.— I am, Sir, &c.,
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