EDUCATION OF DRIVERS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23003, 24 April 1940, Page 5

EDUCATION OF DRIVERS

SCHOOLS PROPOSED FOR OFFENDERS (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.' • WELLINGTON. April 23. The setting up of schools for offenders against the traffic code is proposed in a report to be presented by the Transport Department to the Road Safety Council. Persons convicted of offences against the regulations would be required to attend a course of instruction,. the nature and length of which wpuld depend on the type of offence. Lectures would be given on road accidents, their causes and results, on the obligations of road users, on traffic regulations, and on safe driving. Use would be made of road safety films, and to illustrate reaction times and vision disabilities, special apparatus would be used. This would be of value both for diagnosing defects and in educating drivers in the psychological aspects of safe driving. The scheme has been tried in the past. The report states that certain Magistrates have made a condition of probation for serious traffic offences attendance by the offenders at courses in road conduct and skilful driving. The scheme proved excellent in that an attempt was made to reform and educate the oSgnder so that there was less likelihood of a repetition. Though the Courts were sympathetic, it is regretted that because of administrative difficulties the scheme did not prosper as it should have. In- the Transport Department’s Traffic Offence Bureau a considerable amount of data have been accumulated about persons involved in frequent breaches of the traffic regulations. It is felt that direct contact with these persons through schools for drivers would have a very beneficial effect. The approval of the Road Safety Council is being sought for the scheme.