Traffic officer escort

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32847, 22 February 1972, Page 16

Traffic officer escort

Sir, —To save a child’s life or to adhere to the go-slow policy? This was the choice of a traffic officer standing beside his motor-cycle on the comer of Barbadoes and Kilmore Streets at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9. A child had swallowed camphor, his condition was grave, and he was being rushed by private car to hospital when the parent stopped and appealed to the officer to gain them swift and unimpeded access through the traffic. The officer rejected their appeal, simply cautioning them to drive safely. On arrival the three-year-old child was taken instantly into care. The distraught parent asked: “Will he live?” and was told that the prognosis was not good as most such cases were fatal. However, thanks to the prompt action of the hospital staff, the child lives, but what of the traffic officer? Had the child died, what a price to pay for a fatter paypacket!—Yours, etc., MARGERY MOYSE.

February 12, 1972. [Mr D. L. Hogan, regional secretary for the Ministry of Transport, replies: “The action taken by the traffic officer, as described by your correspondent, is quite out of keeping with the usual action taken by traffic officers in such circumstances and I do not think that the recent industrial dispute is in any way involved because officers were carrying out all such duties. It has not been possible to identify the officer concerned so that the matter can be fully investigated, and if your correspondent can help in this respect I would appreciate her getting in touch with me.”]