Doctors Propose Drastic Changes In Road Laws

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28767, 12 December 1958, Page 13

Doctors Propose Drastic Changes In Road Laws

(Rec. 8 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 11. Drastic changes in Victoria’s road laws have been recommended to the State Government by a special committee of 13 leading Melbourne doctors. The changes include what could virtually be compulsory blood tests for all drivers and stringent measures to be adopted by car makers.

The committee was set up rarly this year by the Victorian “ranch of the British Medical Association at the suggestion of the State Minister for Health (Mr Cameron). Its main recommendations are: The issue of driving licences to be contingent on an applicant’s consent to aUow

alcohol tests or other approved tests, including breath analysis, at any time. Any driver with a blood alcohol content of .1 per cent—the equivalent of a minimum ot seven 7-oz. glasses of beer or seven oz. of whisky—to be deemed guilty of an offence More stringent medical tests for private motorists and medical examinations for all commercial drivers, people seeking restoration of cancelled licences, accident-prone

drivers and persons over 70 All motor cycles to be fitted with “leg bars” and all motor cyclists to be made to wear crash helmets. Refusal by drivers to undergo tests after issue at driving licences to automatically cancel the licence for a statutory period. Car drivers be encouraged to use safety belts, and after a prescribed date, car makers be required to supply safety belts as standard equipment After a prescribed date, registration of cars to be refused unless they are fitted with shock-absorbing steering wheels, padded dashboards with recessed Jmobs or knobs eliminated, proper door locks designed to prevent doors flying open after impact-. Strengthen seat tracks and locks to prevent seat movement.