ROAD SAFETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 165, 15 July 1938, Page 11

ROAD SAFETY.

MINISTER'S SCHEME.

GRANT TO INSPECTORS.

THE BIGHT OF ARREST. ~~~~~~ i (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. At the conclusion of a refresher course for Government traffic inspectors in Wellington to-day, the inspectors, who were from all parte of the Dominion, were addressed by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple. Mr. Semple expressed entire satisfaction with road patrol work during the 19 months in which the national scheme has been in operation. The Minister said his desire was to get the traffic regulations as near perfect ae possible, and none was better able to say what was needed on the roads than the inspectors. If any inspector knew of anything that would help to give the public the maximum service with the minimum risk, the Department would be glad of the suggestions. Mr. Semple emphasised the preventive side of traffic control as against punitive, and said that the Traffic Amendment Bill, which would be passed next year if the Government was returned to office, would improve the position of inspectors, as it would give the right of arrest. If road control were to be successful, convictions should decrease as motorists were taught to be careful. Statistics showed that service car drivers rarely had accidents, and if their training had that result,- other drivers could be similarly trained. Experience where large crowds gathered and good control of traffic was arranged shewed that control could obviate accidents.

The inspectors assured Mr. Semple that they were anxious to help in anv way possible.