The Automobile in Germany.

The New York Times
March 3, 1904

In Germany they deal with the reckless chauffeur afflicted with motormania in a very practical manner. In the Reichstag one day last week Prince Schoenaich-Carolath called upon the Government to introduce a bill placing automobilists under the provisions of the statute of 1871, fixing the terms of imprisonment for those committing assaults or manslaughter through carelessness on the public thoroughfares. Other members asked the Government to move a bill requiring automobilists to compensate those injured by them in person or property, when found blameworthy, in the event of accidents.

There is no sentimentality in the schemes of legislation thus outlined. In a country which has spent so much money and put so many precious lives in jeopardy to attain a speed of about 125 miles an hour on an electric railroad, it is significant that the rights of the road are so fully recognized in a plan of automobile regulation which makes it a crime to run down a pedestrian or smash another and slower vehicle—offenses which in this country seem to be regarded as qualified and conditional misdemeanors, excusable if the misdemeanant is so prominent socially or so important financially as to invite the respectful consideration of the court. German courts do things better than ours in some respects.