1906                                                   VETOES

Therefore, it is unnecessary for me to sign Senate Bill 952.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marvin Mandel
Governor

Senate Bill No. 954 - Motor Vehicles Financial

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Sections 6-107 and 6-108 of
Article 66-1/2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1970 Replacement Volume
and 1972 Supplement), title "Vehicle Laws," subtitle "Subtitle 6. Drivers'
Licenses," and to add new Sections 7-103 to 7-105, inclusive, and Sections 7-201
to 7-211, inclusive, to Article 66-1/2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1970
Replacement Volume and 1972 Supplement), title "Vehicle Laws," subtitle
"Subtitle 7. Required Security," to follow immediately after Section 7-102
thereof, abolishing the imputation of liability of a minor to a parent or
guardian, prohibiting the use or operation of uninsured vehicles in this State,
vehicles exempt from compulsory insurance requirements, requirements of
vehicles owned by nonresidents, defining judgment, establishing procedures for
courts reporting nonpayment of judgment, action with respect to nonresidents,
suspension for nonpayment of judgments, exceptions for certain Government
vehicles, exceptions when insurer liable or insolvent, suspensions until judgments
satisfies, satisfaction of judgments, installment payments of judgments, defaults
for breach of agreements and disposition of Financial Responsibility deposits,
and clarifying the language in Sections 6-107 and 6-108.

June 1, 1973.

Honorable William S. James
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17, of the Maryland Constitution, I have
today vetoed Senate Bill 954.

This bill enacts a new general financial responsibility law relating to the
operation of motor vehicles. It also deletes those parts of Article 66-1/2, Sections
6-107 and 6-108, which provide that the negligence of a minor when driving a
motor vehicle shall be imputed to the parent or guardian who signs the minor's
application for a driver's license, unless there is deposited with the Motor Vehicle
Administration, on the minor's behalf, proof of financial responsibility.

These deletions, as contained in Senate Bill 954, are virtually identical to those
contained in House Bill 691 passed by the 1969 General Assembly, which I vetoed
on May 21, 1969, and Senate Bill 758 passed by the 1970 General Assembly,
which I vetoed on May 26, 1970. As I noted on both of those two prior occasions,
in my view, a parent or guardian who gives his consent for his minor child to
obtain a driver's license, yet fails to maintain the appropriate insurance, ought to
be responsible for the child's driving. Moreover, requiring parents either to provide
insurance covering their children or assume liability for their children's negligent
driving, may lead to greater parental teaching and supervision with respect to
minor's driving habits.