step they could possibly conceive to do something now to halt the up-
swing in accidents. Shortly thereafter, a proposal was set before me by
the State Safety Committee for instantaneous adoption of the program
for all State departments. This proposal I was more than ready and
eager to accept and endorse wholeheartedly.
This, then, is the background, the reason for our gathering here
today—a giant stride ahead in the attack on accidents in this State.
This is your opportunity to take the instruction which you shall receive
in this room over the next two days and go out and teach all others.
Yours is an important message—as important as being able to arise and
begin a new day tomorrow. Yours will be the responsibility to teach
your fellow State employees how to detect "driver error" in other persons
before they create a situation that will cause an accident that may result
in death or injury to the innocent, unsuspecting motorist. It will be
your duty to teach them to consider the existence of adverse conditions—
weather, road, light, the other driver.
We are horrified when we hear of death and destruction in Viet Nam,
and well we should be, but it is even more horrifying when I realize that
for every American who has died in every war, battle or police action
since 1900, there have been two persons killed on this nation's highways.
And this is in what we are proud to call the most enlightened nation in
the world.
The effects of this course have been far-reaching, for there have been,
since the inception of the training, more than 95, 000 drivers who have
received the benefits of this instruction. Only through the constant
training and development of instructors, such as yourselves, will we
ever be able to reach all of the licensed drivers in this country, and
believe me that is our goal. The Maryland State Police soon realized that
they would be unable to reach everyone through their instruction alone,
so they immediately attacked the problem by developing instructors in
service clubs across the State, having them certified as instructors and
then having them arrange classes in their local areas. This same plan
we expect you to follow. As soon as your qualification as an instructor is
established, we expect you to return to your respective State depart-
ments and thoroughly indoctrinate your fellow employees with what
you will learn here today and tomorrow.
In effect, then, I am today, here and now, declaring war, total war, on
death and injury on our highways. As the chief executive of the State
of Maryland, it is my sincerest wish that not one more life be taken
foolishly, carelessly, thoughtlessly, recklessly, on this State's highways,
and I ask you to do everything within your power to bring about a
fulfillment of that wish.
571
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