safe highway.... I expect, as Governor, to cut the ribbon on the
final leg of the John Hanson Highway linking it with the Kenil-
worth interchange, opening it to traffic late next summer or early
next fall.

This, I think, exhibits our interest in good highways for this sec-
tion of our State. We know there are problems connected with high-
way tie-ins with the District and Virginia. I assure you that our
State Roads Commission is most eager to cooperate with you in re-
solving these problems in our mutual interests.

I know the deep concern this organization always has felt about
traffic safety. As far as my own State is concerned, I think of traffic
safety as a matter of paramount importance. We in Maryland have
found no cure-all for the problem of traffic accidents. Our program
is based on the tested formulae—aggressive enforcement of the laws,
close supervision over licensing, good traffic and highway engineer-
ing, effective school traffic safety programs and intensive public edu-
cation activities....

In Maryland, we have adopted the point system to increase the
efficacy of our enforcement program. The system will become effec-
tive as of midnight next December 31. We have established chem-
ical tests for suspected drunken drivers. We have tightened our
restrictions on the issuance of driver's licenses. We do not pretend
to have found a solution to the problem by these innovations. On
the contrary, traffic safety is under continuing study, and we are
always seeking new methods to reduce highway accidents....

May I assure you, once more, that Maryland is most gratified to
be able to work with you on these and all other problems that
affect us jointly.

REMARKS AT SIGNING OF COMPACT FOR WASHINGTON
METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT COMMISSION

December 22, 1960

The State of Maryland is happy to join with its neighbors, Vir-
ginia and the District of Columbia, in executing today the compact
that will bring into existence the Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Commission.

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