SAFETY FIRST.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17394, 3 March 1922, Page 4

SAFETY FIRST.

The arrangements fen: tho Safety First Campaign, which was first proposed some weeks before Christmas, are now well in hand. The committee appointed to carry out the.work appointed sub-committeea to deal with such matters of detail as advertising, finance, and educational work and'these have sp far advanced in their preparations that it has been decided to amalgamate tho three to save overlapping. The date of the campaign has not yet been fixed, that is dependent upon the results of the finance committee's efforts to raise money. The sum of £SOO is required and when this sum is in hand, on at least in iview, the committee will bo able to go ahead. Though it is admitted that there is a necessity to economise* at tho present time, the committee hope to obtain this sum, for it is recognised by the local controlling authorities, the trade, and the public 1 generally, that any effort towards improving traffic conditions in the streets is worthy of the most sympathetic support. Everybody will be benefited—the pedestrian and the motorist, the horsedriver and the cyclist. If those who populate the streets can be taught to not only consider their own safety, but to extend consideration to others, then a great-work will have been accomplishea and it is the duty of everybody to support the object. Local bodies,, motor clubs, interested business firms, and various trade associations will be asked to contribute towards the cost of running this big educational campaign, and undoubtedly they will give the heartiest co-operation, for it will assist in minimising the risk of accident to persons and property. Before parting with money most people wish to be satisfied that it will be put to good use. No one can have any doubt as to the value of the Safety First Campaign, for if it reduces the number of street accidents resulting in bills for repairs, by a mere few, it will pay for itself in a very short time. Human life it ib recognised, is beyond all price, and if, as a result of these endeavours to teach people a few commonsense rules, the death roll is in any way reduced, the cost is not to be'reckoned in money. It is proposed to inculcate the duty of pedestrians to cross the street at right angles, and, in busy places, to cross only at recognised crossing-places. Motorists, and drivers of other vehicles, wnll be tajjght to drive reasonably, with due regard 'for the safety of others, and it. will be the endeavour of the promoters of the campaign to lay\ down definite rules.as to driving signals and the observance of the byplays. 1 Thifr can only he done by good propaganda,, and it is proposed to spend the whole of. the money raised in posters for vehicles, jStreet-cbrneri signs; pamphlets, newspaper .advertisements, etc.,-so that for a whole week "Safety First" will fill the puljlic eye. - Since the'campaign was first mootett the demand for police "control of the traffic has grown, with the result that the municipal authorities have decided to pay''for the services of three pointduty constables, one to be stationed at the* Bank of New Zealand corner, one at the corner of Colombo and Gasliel streets, and one at the dock Toweri This is the most important step taken towards improving street traffic conrfi♦fonß; and those enthusiastic who first recognised its and •'agitated" till they' secured' recognition, are deserving of the thanks of the tvhole of the citizens.

During the campaign week a policeman, wlio is an expert in traffic control, Will l>e stationed at the Bank corner, Wid the publio will thus be pregarecf for the more extensive control which is to 'J»* iuffciHuted lat|er>. Ther congfta.bjfe, who will be seen on point-duty will be a, man with. London experience, and one who earned the thanks of all drivers by

his good work at the Hospital corner, last Carnival Week. Mr H. Macintosh, City Motor Inspector, stated at a meeting the other night, that there are at least three constables in the local force who have had London Depot training, and if these men are put on duty at the Bank, Clock Tower, and intersection of Cashel and Colombo streets, when the new police control comes into being, Christchuroh will have the benefit of'an excellent service.