SUGGESTIONS FOR SAFETY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1923, Page 23

SUGGESTIONS FOR SAFETY

"What is the most practical method of increasing the safety of all motoring and the use of the highway by all? "The Motor" (London), .\yith its allied motoring journals, is offering . handsome prizes to its readers for. suggestions answering the above question. From week to week suggestions are received from which selections are published. Some of the latest are as follow:— "Applicants for driving licences should produce a voucher from some recognised authority stating that they have been examined in driving, rule of the road, observance of signals, etc., and found competent." "All drivers to be j.toperly tested for a distance of at least 15 miles on ability tp change gear en bad hills and ito- control the cnv in traffic." "A test, for drivers would be very- expensive and of little practical value. A medical test would be better, similar to ■ that issued during the war for the Air Force; but it would be very hard luck on a really careful driver who did not possess the necessary physical attributes." "To enable persons desirous of* obtaining a licence to. secure thorough instruction, an instructor's license should be brought into use, so tfo'at only persons fully qualified and -'capable of instructing would have the power to do so." "A medical examination, to ,be passed by all applicants for a training license, which would be valid , for three months, during which period the beginner would be under the supervision of a trained driver. Leaflets on road signals, how to render first-aid, and' how-.to avoid accidents to be given him, and. at the end of three months—or sooner—a; full license to be granted, on the applicant signing a- declaration that he considers himself fully trained in the threeisubjects."

"A license should be a qualification of skill respecting the class of .vehicle driven, distinction being made between motor-cycles, light cars, and heavy cars, the expense of a test to be standardised and borne by the driver." "Standardise and instil into the minds of all road users the rules of the road and signals. A motorist is often taught to drive a car by a friend, who tells him to put out his right hand when rounding a right-hand bend, which he does when .he remembers to do so, and that is as far as he gets with road signals. Cyclists and drivers of horsed vehicles are very lax in giving signals." "A preliminary license should be issued for learners, who should only be permitted on second-class roads and prohibited from driving in large cities." ''Newspapers all over the country should publish in a conspicuous place in their journals every day a few words of advice on the safe use of the roads. There is no object in printing such advice on a license, for no man ever looked at his license again after receiving it." -"All drivers -with. less. . than.three years' experience must, at their, own' expense, take' a courae at one of the jiiotoring schools, which should be registered, and the necessary certificate of fitness obtained. A novice musti obtain a learner's license, to cost 10s 6d, and on completion of his training pay a further 10s. 6d to receive a full driving license. Experienced drivers must swear an affidavit as to the number of years they have been driving, and licences should be issued at a cost to chauffeurs or lorry drivera of 15s, owner-drivers £1 Is, trade drivers, testers, bus,,, and cab drivers, £2 2s f racing drivers £3 3a, and motor-cyclists £1 10s 6d." ■"When a license is issued or renewed & few simple questions should be asked concerning the health and sight of the applicant. On the back of the application form should be printed all the rules of the road, and the applicant should be warned that he or she will be. held responsible if they are not obeyed." v

."No man or woman should be granted a license unless he or, she can explain in clear English, on paper, the object and use of the brakes."

■''All intending drivers be required to pass' an efficiency test before being granted .a. driving license." "If some system could be devised by which the careless driver had to put his hand in. his pocket and; pay a part of the cost consequent upon his carelessness or negligence it might teach him a. lesson to be more careful in the future, and in such manner bring about safer motoring." ■ . "I suggest that a list of- rules, hints, and suggestions be drawn up, and a copy given to each motorist as he pays for his driver's license."

"Every potential motorist ought to think, when about to purchase a car, of his aptitude for driving. When decided, he undertakes responsibilities. If suffering from defective eyesight, nervous constitution, or if he otherwise fails to pass muster with his own conscience, he should engage a chauffeur. If, on the other hand, he feels confident that he; can manage a car, before he feels inclined to touch the starter he should study road conditions—that is, what is required of him as a driver—as seriously as^he would study an insurance policy." "It is well said that accidents arise not so much through one's own fault as from'the carelessness of others. If all drivers always bore this in mind and were determined, that an accident should not happen through their carelessness, the number of accidents would be reduced to a negligible quantity, and there would not be a public outcry, because the roadhog would cease to exist." "A booklet should be prepared which,' •while giving every 'reasonable rule ■ for safe driving, should aim at impressing on the individual the necessity of using at all times the greatest. care and consideration. This might be sent to all schoolmasters and mistresses, and ■ their co-operation asked in bringing it to the notice_ of their pupils. Since this is a motoring age, one cannot begin the preparation for it too soon, and therefore should inculcate knowledge in the young."