Our Commission does not compute the economic loss in highway
accidents. Our main concern, of course, is in the prevention of highway
deaths and the suffering and anguish occasioned by these tragedies. But
national actuaries employ the figure, $125, 000 for each death, and if we
use that same figure we observe an economic saving of $9 million dollars
thus far this year.

I have discussed traffic safety before many audiences recently, and to
all of them I attempt to summarize some of the measures we have taken,
and are taking, to make our highways safer for motor travel.

I regard the point system, which has operated from the beginning of
this year, as the keystone of our traffic safety program. By placard, by
billboard, by word of mouth, motorists are being warned that if they
speed or drive recklessly, they lose their license. "Eight points and you
walk, " they are admonished. We hope and believe it is having a good
effect.

To improve our program of safety education, the General Assembly,
with my strong indorsement, approved at its recent session the establish-
ment of driver education courses in our public high schools. It is an
established fact that boys and girls who receive such training are much
less inclined to drive carelessly and cause accidents.

As I have done each year since I became Governor, I have authorized
40 additional troopers for our Maryland State Police, the purpose being
to improve our enforcement program. And my budget for the next
fiscal year cont^ns an appropriation to provide salary increases to
troopers, a measure designed to attract men of ability and character to
these positions.

And to round out the "three E's, " we are, of course, building new
highways as fast as we can—faster than ever before in the history of our
State.

I am delighted tonight that the Safety First Club is presenting
Wheelmaster Awards to these deserving persons. I note with deep
satisfaction that among them is Mrs. Helen Tullis, who has gained
recognition throughout the country for her outstanding work in the
promotion of pedestrian safety. Mrs. Tullis is now a full-time associate
of the Maryland Traffic Safety Commission, and I am told our Com-
mission is the only such agency in the country having a person employed
full time in pedestrian safety....

I offer sincere congratulations to the recipients of these Wheelmaster
Awards. I ask all of you earnestly to help me in my effort to make
Maryland a safer State in which to travel,

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