NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND

they must observe restrictions which to them may seem unnecessary and which serve to irritate and antagonise them.

“We do not regard the repressive action of the law as a proper means of Healing with a question whiffii affects the entire population. It is necessary as a background for the coercion cf the recalcitrant, but the majority of iteople are decent people who will coni© voluntarily into lino if approached reasonably.

"The goodwill of the public is necessary, and it is most unlikely that effective co-operation can be brought about by the infliction of penalties, or while they remain one of the major forms of treatment. Moreovefi the issue will tend to" be, more so than in the past, one as between motorist and pedestrian or, what is perhaps worse, an issue as between the public and those responsible for the enforcement of the law, with the tendency on the part of motorists in particular to distrust and outwit police and traffic officers as the representatives of laws which restrict the freedom of the individual. We are of the opinion that every effort should be made to obviate such.sectional distinctions and other undesirable psychological reactions." .Means of Tubliicty. As a. means of publicity, the report, recommended the council to accept the offer of co-operation from advertising agencies, and suggested the dissemination of propaganda through handbooks and leaflets, newspapers, radio, picture theatres, and posters. By lite employment of several methods the subject would be kept more constantly before the public, and the variety so provided would in itself be of value.

Dealing specifically with the suggested methods of publicity, the report stated that the issue of a highways code was desirable, also a handbook containing rules for the guidance of all roadusers. Leaflets were suggested for pedal cyclists. “We regard the newspapers as a most important medium for the dissemination of information,” continued the report. "A newspaper is read daily by almost every adult, and by younger people also, and its written or pictorial message reaches the'reader when he is in a reflective state of mind. The news and editorial columns can feature questions with which the council is concerned, and it appears to us that considerable service has been rendered in this way in recent months. “We regard radio as a valuable complement to the newspapers and not as an adequate substitute for them. It conveys the spoken word, which is more fleeting than the written message. We think radio should be used for the following purposes: Short addresses, weekly or fortnightly, by the chairman of the council and other selected speakers; progress bulletins, fortnightly or monthly; radio plays, once monthly; short. recordings for driving home safety maxims.” In picture theatres advice-slogans portrayed on slides or on gramophone records could be brought before a large proportion of the public. The use of long films did not-- commend itself greatly to the committee, while the production of films suitable for New Zealand conditions would be both costly and difficult. The facilities of the Government Publicity Department could be utilised for the production of films plotted in miniature, the necessary explanation being given by the recorded voice of the commentator. Posters could be used for the most. important of the safety messages, chiefly of the warning type. Standard of Driving. As a means of raising the standard of driving, the committee proposed three steps—(l) That a standard, uniform throughout the Dominion and higher than that now observed by many licensing authorities outside the larger centres, should be set up for the testing of applicants for drivers’ licences, and that licensing authorities be required to ensure that the standard is observed; (2) that no official should be .permitted to examine applicants unless the Minister is satisfied that he possesses the necessary qualifications; and (3) that a booklet be prepared and issued, setting out a syllabus for the examination of applicants for licences. The committee felt that a highways code by itself was not sufficient for the beginner, and, further, it might not be unreasonable to require present licence holders who were found to be prone to accidents, to be tested again with a view to their satisfying the requirements of the revised standard before their licences were renewed. Motorcycles were involved in so many accidents that a special approach to this section of motoring appeared necessary, and the committee felt that, in addition to special publicity, the matter should be treated in the manner suggested for applicants for motor-car drivers’ licences. Special provision for pedal cyclists and pedestrians was also recommended.

Discussing the report, Mr. Semple said he agreed that it would not be wise to emphasise the gruesome aspect. It would be far better to lead the public on reasonable and rational lines. He paid a tribute to the assistance given by the Press. It was in no small measure due to the 'spontaneous assistance of the Press that beneficial results had been attained by the council. The suggestion was made that the licences should be fixed inside a booklet on road safety which would be issued to every person applying for >l licence. There would then be no excuse for a driver not knowing the rules of the road. A fee of 6d. could be charged for the first year, ami few drivers would object to that if it was the means of saving lives

PHYSICAL FITNESS OF DRIVERS

Doctor Thinks Men Over 60 Should Be Examined

When discussing the effects of alcohol on the driver of a ear, Dr. S. D. Rhind submitted that there should be a more rigorous tost for the physical fitness of drivers, and suggested lhat holders of licences over (if) years of age should undergo tin annual physical extiminal ion before llie licence was reissued. Apart from the question of alcohol, said Dr. Rhind. the British Medical Association considered there should be a more rigorous test for physical disabilities. and anyone over a certain age should be medically examined to see how his nervous system compared with average standards. The medical profession could assist in that way by setting up a standard of physical fitness. Mr. M. F. Luckie: What would you put the age al? Dr. Rhind : I would say HO and over, Io he on Ihe safe side. Dr. Rhind further explained that al lhat age. while it man might be mentally alert. Ills physical reactions might be .slowed up. His sight and hearing might be failing, for instance.