The Law Must Hurry to Catch Up

Following World War II the need for highway improvement came into such prominence that it could not be ignored. Today, under the expanded federal-aid program, we are building the highways we need for years to come. The danger here lies in trying to superimpose new and ultramodern facilities on what is hardly more than a "horse-and-buggy" governmental structure for regulation and control of highway use. It is important that states now turn their attention to the operational problems posed by these new facilities—and especially those which are certain to be created by the increased traffic demands of the future. A first approach to this is mod ernization of the laws on which are based all state functions bearing on motor vehicle ownership and use. Only by long- range factual study of functions involved can we hope to provide sound foundations and guidance for legislative action. A movement to evaluate state highway laws in light of the new huge construction program has been underway for some time, and already is proving its value. So far, only one state has directed comparable attention to laws regulating and controlling motor vehicle and highway use. This pioneering study effort is underway now in Minnesota. Other states are beginning to move in that direction, to the end that use of new roads and streets might be safer and more efficient.