ENFORCEMENT OF ROAD CODE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27593, 25 February 1955, Page 3

ENFORCEMENT OF ROAD CODE

“FINES OF LITTLE USE ”

Fines were of little use in deterring most traffic offenders —they were usually, in the case of businessmen, charged to expenses, anyway, said Mr N. Speary to a meeting of the Christchurch Metropolitan Road Safety Committee on Wednesday. Mr Speary suggested that suspension of the driver’s licence was a better way of enforcing the regulations.

The committee agreed to defer any decision until the next meeting to allow members time to form definite opinions. Mr Speary also suggested that volunteer traffic officers should be appointed, and on this also, the committee deferred action. Motorists were saved from their faults during the Christmas holidays in spite of themselves, said Mr Speary. Many obeyed the law only when they knew traffic patrols were about. If a traffic officer went on to Riccarton road in a private car, a breach of the regulations could be pointed out every minute, said Mr Speary. If he was travelling down this road at 30 miles an hour, 80 per cent, of the traffic would pass him. Radio and newspaper publicity was wasted—the man who paid attention to it was the man who played the game in any case. Penalties suggested by Mr Speary for offenders against the traffic regulations were first a warning, then suspension of the licence for a week or so, and then suspension for six months.