ROAD PATROLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 9

ROAD PATROLS.

MEMBERS OF CLUBS. OFFER TO DEPARTMENT. RIDERS WILL CO-OPERATE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. Motor cycling clubs throughout New Zealand.have expressed to the Transport Department and to the Road Safety Council their readiness to co-operate fully in an endeavour to reduce road dangers. One of the proposals pul before the Road Safety Council is that the clubs at the various centres should undertake a voluntary advisory road patrol by senior members, such as had been instituted in Canterbury with considerable success, says the “Evening Post.”

The proposal of 17 motor cyclists’ clubs, of both islands, was stated to the council by Mr. Frank Jones, who said that every club was wholeheartedly behind the endeavour to better road safety, and the New Zealand AutoCvcle Union proposed the following suggestion whereby co-operation could be given:—1. That the clubs set up a Motor Cycle Road Safety Committee in each centre.

2. That an award be made through the clubs of a voluntary pledge and badge system to riders who have been free of accidents or convictions. 3. That the clubs endeavour by every means in their power to inculcate a road safety spirit among their members and to raise the standard of motor cycle riding in their districts. 4. That provision be made by the clubs for lectures on sound riding technique, road sense, and road courtesy, to be taken by young and inexperienced riders before they arc tested for their licenses.

5. That a road safety booklet for motor cyclists be produced in conjunction with the Transport Department. 6. That the clubs use all forms of available publicity to spread among motor cyclists a sense of road courtesy. Road Patrols. Twelve honorary “assistant patrols” have been appointed in Christchurch, their functions being to give assistance where needed, to give advice and warnings where such are warranted, and to report serious breaches of regulations to the civic traffic authorities, who have undertaken to act in conjunction with the committee in its activities, said Air. Jones. There is an understanding that breaches reported to the city authorities will not be made the subject of prosecutions, but merely personal or written warning from inspectors. During the several weeks the scheme has been in operation, excellent results have been experienced. The assistant patrols have been carefully chosen and have a full sense of their responsibilities.