DEATH ON THE ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1935, Page 10

DEATH ON THE ROAD

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

A SAFETY CAMPAIGN

PROPOSAL TO MINISTER

A proposal for the establishment oi a-National Safety Council, representative of motor organisations, to carrj out a campaign of educating motorist! and the public in the correct uses oJ the road was advocated by a representative motorists' deputation which waited on the Minister of Transport (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) today. II was stated that the motoring interests would contribute £5800 over a period of five years to carry out the campaign, and the Government was asked to contribute £8840 per annun.. for five years. ' The deputation was introduced by Mr. A. E. Ansell, M.P., who said that the motorists were concerned ■ about the growth of motoring fatalities, and were as anxious" as the Government that something should be done to prevent the loss of life and property. SUPPORT OF UNIONS. The principal spokesman (Mr. E. A. Batt), chairman of the Wellington Automobile Association, said that the proposal to establish a National Safety Council had the support of both the North and South Island Motor Unions, Last year there were 182 motor fatalities, and for the six months of the present year there had been 92. In six years 1050 persons had been killed on New Zealand roads, and he claimed that the time was long past when something should be done to prevent the ever-growing number of fatalities A plan extending over five years had been thought out, and the .motorists' organisations were prepared to contribute £5800 towards the cost of putting the plan into operation, the contribution being as follows: —North and South Island, Motor Unions, £2300; North Island Insurance Company, £2000; South Island Insurance- Company, £1000; Wairarapa Insurance Company, £250; Associated Motorists' Petrol Company, £.250. The plan they had in mind ■would involve ah expenditure oi £50,000 over five years, and to do the job properly it was considered that that amount was necessary. Accordingly, they asked the Government for a contribution of £8840 per annum for five years, and suggested that the contribution should, come from the Highways Funds. It was worth while pointing out that the greatest number of. accidents occurred on the most modern roads, and it was fitting that the contribution should come from the Highways Funds. PERSONNEL OF COUNCIL. Mr. Batt suggested that the proposed council should be composed as follows: —One representative from the North Island Motor Union, one representative from the South Island "Union, one representative from the three motor mutual insurance companies, one representative from the Government, and one representative from the tariff companies, if they contributed.- Mr. Batt said that the, underwriters had been interviewed, but the prospect oi a contribution was not very hopeful. It had been stated that losses were considerable and rates low, but they had been told that the' thirty-eight tariff companies would be written to. The Government, he said, might desire two representatives: one from the Transport Department and one from the Highways Board. With the exception, of the secretary all the positions would be of an honorary character. It •was thought advisable to have the council registered as an incorporated society. The matter was regarded as one of urgency, and he would ask the Minister to give it his consideration as soon as possible. Mr. Coates: Is the council to have statutory powers? Mr. Batt: We. didn't ask^for statutory powers. Mr. Coates: Purely advisory? Mr. Batt: It's administrative of the fund. Mr. Coates pointed out that nominally the Transport Department was the Department which must be the effective body in control. He compared conditions here with.those in England, and said that the courtesy and spirit of men and women drivers in England were very noticeable. The buses were considered the "gentlemen of the road," and they set the stand!ard. Individuals handled their signals in a way which left no mistake. There seemed to be no actual control, but there was control. Mr. Coates referred to the present j systems of traffic control in New Zealand, and said he did not think it [would be advisable to attempt to try and take control away from recognised, authorities. Unification was desirable, and the spirit must be inculcated throughout the country. RESPECT FOR REGULATIONS. Mr. Batt said that the proposed council could see that the laws were better administered. He considered that the motorists and pedestrians should have greater respect for the regulations. The council would have nothing to do with regulations. He spoke of the disadvantages of the lack of co-ordination throughout the country, and said that, for instance, the council might say, "We will have three months on brake testing," and all the local bodies would fall into line. A lot of work could be done without touching the regulations. It was hoped to start with the children, and to secure the support of the Minister of Education. The Minister assured the deputation that he would consider the matter.