abling injuries occurring during the year 1959. This represents a figure
of more than three times the population of the entire State of Maryland.
As I have said, it is regrettable to be unable to report that substantial
progress has been made in the reduction of accidental deaths and in-
juries in our State. But as a result of that, are we to fold our hands in
despair and say to ourselves: "What's the use of wrestling with a prob-
lem that appears to be hopelessly insoluble?" No indeed we must not.
Who knows what the figures might be if we relaxed our efforts to pre-
vent highway accidents, fires and industrial mishaps? We must continue
to employ all the resources available to protect the lives of the men,
women and children of our State. We must step up our programs of
engineering, education and enforcement to the end that the people may
feel safer in travel, in their homes and on their jobs. As individuals, we
must become sensitive to the shocking figures we read almost daily of
slaughter on the highways, drownings, deaths and injuries from a great
variety of accidents. We must, as individuals, accept our own respon-
sibility to remedy this condition.

On the level of state government, my Administration has begun with a
modest program of traffic safety. It is a program, however, which I
believe if properly administered, and strengthened and expanded in
needed areas, will be effective.

I am informed that the chemical-test for suspected drunken drivers
is proving itself to be an effective measure. We have tightened our
restrictions on the licensing of drivers. A point system for driver's
licenses, already on the statute books, will go into effect as soon as soon
as some administrative problems can be ironed out. A special com-
mittee of the Legislative Council has continued its studies of other
legislation to improve safety on our highways. It is my hope, and my
belief, that it will have a good program to offer for the forthcoming
session of the General Assembly....

It is my sincere conviction that the prevention of accidents that are
responsible for the lives that are lost and the bodies that are maimed
is one of the greatest challenges of our time. As Governor of the State,
I am aware of my obligations in this matter. With the assistance of the
General Assembly and others, I will continue my efforts to improve
safety conditions in our state.

With the help of such groups and individuals as are assembled here
at this conference, we who have resolved to make Maryland a safe and
healthy state will, I am sure, meet this challenge. Once again, on behalf
of all the people of Maryland, let me thank all of you for the time, the
effort and the talent you have offered to such a worthy cause.

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