ROAD ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 10

ROAD ACCIDENTS

Liquor and Drivers of

Motor Vehicles

PROPOSALS TO MINISTER Menace of Sub-intoxicated Persons ‘‘We are saying that if a man does drink, then there shall be a period before he drives a motor vehicle, ami during his driving that he shall not drink,” said a 'member nf a deputation from the New Zealand Alliance which ■waited on the Minister of Transport, Hon. R. Semple, yesterday with suggestions for tlie amendment of the Moi or Vehicles Act t 0 tighten up the flaw against sub-in-toxicated motorists, a term devised to connote persons who have taken enough liquor to render them unreliable 'as drivers.

The deputation, which was introduced by Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., consisted of the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, president of the alliance, and Messrs. Charles Todd, F. C. Spratt, T. B. Strong, A. Ivory and H. E. Coombs. Mr. Blanchard said the deputation welcomed the Minister’s determination to grapple with the problem of death and injury connected with road traffic and his intention to call a national conference to devise ways z and means for educating the community on the question. Not only in New Zealand, but also the world over, judges and magistrates were sounding a warning to motorists as to the effect of alcohol on mental aud physical processes. Scientific research and practical observation united in making 'it clear that a major fact contributing to motor accidents was the drinking of even moderate quantities of liquor by the drivers. Not only the intoxicated driver, but also the sub-intoxicated driver was a menace on the road today. In Norway a law had been in existence since 1916 forbidding motor drivers, while on duty, to take alcoholic drinks, and forbidding it for six hours before they went on duty. In Germany, a warning card was issued to all applicants for a licence, pointing out their duty to abstain completely from all alcoholic beverages both before and during their driving. This card stressed the fact that a large proportion of motor accidents were the result of the consumption of quite small quantities of alcohol. In Sweden a law-provided "that motorists against whom a charge of driving while drunk might be brought should'submit to tests for the presence of alcohol in the blood. Similar Plan for Dominion. “We urge that a notice be issued to all New Zealand motorists similar to that iu use in Germany,” continued Mr. Blanchard, “and also that a copy of a report by the British Medical Association to the Minister of Transport in Britain be placed in the hands of all motorists in this country. “We would also suggest amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act such as would repair its defectiveness. As it now stands it deals adequately with the person who. when in a state of intoxication, drives a motor-vehicle, but it ignores the danger of allowing the sub-intoxicated driver on the road. The alliance therefore suggests that the Act be amended by deleting the words ‘in a state of intoxication’ wherever they occur and substituting for them the words ‘under the influence of intoxicating liquor.’ . “We also suggest that the Act be further amended to provide that any person who takes liquor while in control of a motor-vehicle, or during a period of three" hours before driving, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of £lO. Further, we desire a provision that any person arrested under suspicion of being under the influence of liquor shall, when required, submit himself to smjh blood test as may with the approval of the Minister be required. A person shall be held to be under the influence of liquor whose blood when tested contains alcohol in excess of a percentage to be determined by the Minister of Transport after consultation with the Minister of Health.

“These amendments may seem drastic,” added Mr. Blanchard, “but we believe that the problem created by modern motor traffic with the damage to life and limb calls for drastic remedy.” Liquor at Race Meetings. Mr. Blanchard called the attention of the Minister to the conditional licence granted to racecourses and showgrounds, to and from which large numbers of people travelled in motorvehicles. The alliance believed that such licences had a direct bearing on the question of the relation of liquor to motor accidents. He suggested that the Minister make the point a matter for research. Mr. Strong discussed in detail the effect of small quantities of alcohol on the nervous reactions of the motordriver, and cited scientific investigations by the British Medical Association at the request of the Ministry of Transport in Britain. Speaking as a pedestrian Mr. Coombs emphasised the rights of the public at large to safety on the roads. He proposed that a person who lent a car to another who was subsequently responsible for an accident arising out of the taking of liquor should also bear some responsibility. In addition, a motor-vehicle belonging to a driver convicted for the same cause should be impounded. Not Last Word. Mr. Spratt said the alliance did not suggest that its proposals were the last word. If it were found inconvenient to include the suggested amendments in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act it might be possible for the Minister to introduce them in some other way. “We are convinced that unless this question of the sub-intoxicated motorist is taken into full account the Minister will not be able to get far with his legislation to reduce the number of road accidents,” said Mr. Spratt. “This is not part of the policy of the alliance to restrict the consumption of liquor. We are simply saying that if a man docs drink, and he may drink, then there shall be a certain period before he drives his vehicle and during his driving when he shall not drink.” Replying, Mr. Semple expressed regret that the deputation had not been in a position to present its views before the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act was passed by the House. The Bill had appeared a little before it was expected. However, the last word had not been heard on the question of making the highways safer. No

one could go too far in attempting to stop the slaughter on the roads. “A man is entitled to get drunk in New Zealand as long as he goes to bed or plants himself in some place where he can do no harm to others,” said Mr. Semple, “but he is not entitled to drive a car or otherwise? become a menace to life, and as far as it is possible to stop him I am going to do it. Some people will say we are becoming fanatical, but you cannot be too fanatical when human life is involved. I am going the whole distance where drunken motorists, or partly-intoxicat-ed motorists, are concerned. I accept without hesitation the evidence of scientific authorities.

“We will be considering this question of motorists and liquor at the conference- I am calling. We may be able to introduce some of these proposed amendments in the Legislative Council, but we cannot tamper with the legislation too much at this stage. In any event, it is intended to initiate a campaign to educate the public on the prevention of accidents.” Mr. Spratt: You will have vested interests against you if you start educating the people on this question. Mr. Semple (warmly) : I don't care what vested interests interfere as long as I can save half a dozen useful lives. I am worrying about God's innocent people needlessly slaughtered in this country. lam not talking for talking’s sake. Nobody is going to stand in my way.

The Minister added that he had already begun an educative campaign. He had made several gramophone records of speeches for the schools and had spoken over the air. Picture screens and every avenue of publicity would probably be employed. The public should be made to realise that in every family of four, one was destined to be either killed or injured on the roads.