SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Issue 86, 11 April 1936, Page 23

SAFETY CAMPAIGN

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

REACHING THE INDIVIDUAL

A meeting called by the Governor of

California was held a few weeks ago to consider the, question of. reducing road fatalities and the means to be adopted to achieve something towards this end. . ■ ; '; ; V ■ : The chief speaker was the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles, Mr. R. Ingels. The meeting was made up of representatives of Labour, women's clubs, law enforcement and educational Bodies, the American .Legion, city Slid cbuHty safety cßuncils; and leading civic organisations throughout California. ;

"Reich the individual," said Mr. Ingels,. "and you will solve the grave problem of avoiding, death and injury on the streets and highways Of Califdrriia." • • . - .' :

The meeting formed. themselves into a State traffic safety advisory committee, with Mr. Ingels as chairman, and indicated a determination to carry on a relentless war against recklessness on the highway by adopting the fdllowing outstanding resolutions: — 1. That drivers' licences be issued only by the State Department of Motor Vehicles;

2. That the Department of Motor Vehicles make its requirements for drivers' licences more rigid relative to tests for hearing, eyesight, mechanical reaction, and nerve and muscle reaction. 3. That more adequate illumination of street and highway crosswalks be provided.

4. That traffic schools be established in the larger communities for offenders and persons who wish expert instruction in motor vehicle operation.

5. That the Courts concentrate on rigid sentences for traffic violations.

6. That facilities be provided for increased activities in checking lights, brakes, and safety devices of vehicles.

7. That all law enforcement agencies be provided with increased personnel.

The following resolutions were favourably acted upon, being referred to the State motor vehicle legislative advisory committee with the request that laws be promulgated to make them effective:—

1. Fingerprint and photograph each driver of a motor vehicle as a means of identification.

2. Standardise testing of brakes and lights for city and county enforcement agencies to co-ordinate with the California highway patrol.

3. Make obligatory two rear lights on all types of vehicles, a red light for stop signals and an amber light for tail lights.

4. Make employers as well as employees liable for specified driving hours when operating commercial vehicles. ' : ' The executive committee was set up and authorised to carry out the pro-: gramme, and subsidiary committees were also appointed to act in other capacities. ■ :