Victorian interest in N.Z. road safety

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33452, 6 February 1974, Page 10

Victorian interest in N.Z. road safety

School crossings manned by. school children are proving to be of considerable interest to members of the visiting Victorian Parliamentary joint select committee on road safety.

In Christchurch yesterday, where they were able to see the system at first hand, the committee chairman (Mr H. M. Hamilton) said that strong exception was taken in Victoria by parents and teachers to children manning crossings.

They believe that supervising manpower for this task should be provided by the Government, he said. Mr Hamilton added that Victoria had a bad record for accidents at school crossings. The committee has been in the Dominion for two weeks to have talks with New Zealand authorities about such matters as statistical data for road safety, the management of intersections, aspects of driver licensing, the employment of traffic officers, and highway engineering. After travelling around the country Mr Hamilton said he had been most impressed with the clarity of the signs i erected for the benefit of motorists on the highways. I There was no multiplicity of I signs such as is found in Victoria. He also said New Zealand i had a high standard of enforcement policy as well as 'having more traffic officers :per unit vehicles than had Victoria. “I understand you have an officer to every 2500 vehicles compared with our one to every 5500 to 6000 vehicles.” From observations made by the committee it also appeared that the management of intersections was better in New Zealand. In Victoria more than 60 per cent of all reported accidents in Melbourne occurred at intersections while the figure was 40 per cent for (intersections in country areas, he said. As a result of the committee’s observations and discussions while in the Dominions, Mr Hamilton said the committee would let the Government in Victoria know that an effective road safety system was being used in New Zealand from which a great deal could be learned.

But it is not a one-way learning process. The Victorian road safety committee, appointed in 1967, recommended the compulsory wearing of seat belts, and Victoria was the first state in the world to have this legislation. Since then New Zealand has been among a score of countries which have followed suit. In 1970 there were 1061 road deaths in Victoria. Last year the figure was reduced to 923. This reduction has been made in spite of a 7| per cent annual increase in the number of drivers’ licences issued and cars registered. With a better standard of supervision Mr Hamilton believes that the annual toll in Victoria could be lowered to 700 or 800. Yesterday morning the Victorians met a representational group of Christchurch people concerned about road safety. They returned to Australia last night.