SAFETY ON THE ROADS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21933, 6 November 1936, Page 15

SAFETY ON THE ROADS

approval op crusade in dominion COMMfeNt FROM dt'tetelnsLANß The efforts of the Minister for Transport, the ttOn: ft. Semple; to btihg about a greater measure of Safety for all user& bf the roads in New Zealand have gained approval, in Queensland. Commenting oh New Zealand's leglSlaiioh for the better control of motor transport, the Brisbane “Telegraph" observed that Mr sample appeared to be .acting upon a recognition Of the truth of the old proverb* “Prevention is better than cure.” . . “What Queensland should try to avoid is that traffic control should* become a revenue-producing side-line, with resultant petty prosecutions and fines” continued the ‘Telegraph." “In the following words, Mr Semple has summarised .the objectives advanced by the Royal Automobile Club, Queensland, OVOr a number of years. The inspector Who hides behind some obstruction is nothing mote than a pimp. We do not- want him?’ The Queensland writer pointed out that the pm-pricking methods of offi-

Cgrs who prefer to be cohcealfed to detect a technical breach of the regulations have annoyed motorists lorig enough. “A mail iti uniform controlling traffic at an intersection WoUm do infinitely more to promote safety On the road than half a dozeh mfeh in plain clbthes, idling at. the .kerb and furtively peering af stbp-Watchfes. Motorists as a class are not a grossly careless body, using thfelr cars as bhgihes of destruction. . *. . 's'hfe great majority Of accidents are due to the repetition of sOthe driving indiscretlbh

once tod often. It has pefeh proved Beyond doubt that education in the dangers Which such indiscretions brihg hi their train is the most effective method Of restraining drivers from indulging in them. “The road accideht problem . Will never be solved so long as the different types of road-USCi'S consider billy their rights instead of their responsibilities. pile abusd Upbh others, histead of concentratlhg UPOh the ihiprbvement of their Own habits, arid demand that another road-users shah

be regulated, yfet tfeSeht any restraint imposed upon themselves. . . . therefore, let Queensland have more effort directed toward the education of motorists in those things Which they gfibuld do or hot do, atid less treatment of thfehi as though they Were the pariahs of the, roads. Let Us HaVe education by co-operatldd rathfer tliah recriminatiOh, education glVfeh Ih the spirit of goodwill, rather thau that of suspicion."