PATROLLING OF HIGHWAYS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27913, 9 March 1956, Page 16

PATROLLING OF HIGHWAYS

INCREASE IN STAFF FAVOURED ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATION (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 8. An increase in the number of traffic officers on the roads was unanimously favoured by the New Zealand Road Safety Council today. “The main deterrent to the violators of the regulations and, therefore, the main guarantee of road safety, is the sight of a traffic officer’s uniform on the road,” said Mr W. J. Walsh, the representative of the Drivers’ Federation, in proposing the motion. “It is all very well talking about the miles patrolled and the offenders caught—but I put it to you that every member of this council has had occasion to smile ruefully and ease his foot off the accelerator when he had seen the blue uniform on patrol,” he said. He added that on his reckoning New Zealand had one officer patrolling for every 290 miles of highway, counting each available officer as working a 48-hour week. This would work out at one patrolling officer every 580 miles on a 24-hour basis. “The sight of a uniform is our best deterrent,” he said. “Until we get more patrols it will be difficult to get the current accident figures down.” Mr T. R. McCleary, of Christchurch, representing motor-cyclists, seconded the motion. The Commissioner of Transport (Mr H. B. Smith) said that reports of motorists driving from one end of the North Island to the other without seeing a traffic officer were not entirely representative of the case. “A motorist who drives well and keeps in the stream of traffic won’t see many officers,” said Mr Smith. ‘But let him get drunk early on his journey, or let him start driving at more than 70 miles an hour, and he will see more than enough for him.” Growth in Staff He added that in 1953 the Road Safety Council suggested that the. traffic enforcement staff be increased by 50. Since then 41 additional officers had been placed on the road. In 1953, there were 121 full-time traffic officers and 10 additional in holiday periods. Today, there were 182 full-time officers and in holiday periods, because of the supplementary officers, local body men who came on to the main highways, and military patrols, the total number of traffic enforcement officers was 359. Mr Barton Ginger, of the New Zealand Traffic Institute, said the important point was for more officers to be seen on the roads. Other arguments apart, it was true that motorists could drive phenomenal distances without seeing an officer. Mr W. H. Brown, of the North Island Motor Union, said that Mr Smith’s own figures highlighted the position. Three years ago, the council had called for 50 more officers. Since then 41 had been put on the roads—and there was ample evidence that there were still not enough.