NATIONAL MEASURES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 117, 19 May 1937, Page 13

NATIONAL MEASURES

LICENSING OF DRIVERS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, May .18.

A proposal to constitute the Auckland City Council as the only body in the Auckland area with power to issue motor:drivers' licences was propounded before a meeting of local body representatives by the Minister •of Transport (the Hon. i*. Semple). Under the scheme,; the council will also, have to take full responsibility for the control of traffic throughout the area. After the Minister, had.fully explained his proposals, they were commended in detail without dissent. -' Mr. Semple outlined steps that had beeri taken to date in the'road safety campaign,' and stated that improved control over all transport was necessary if fatalities and injuries as the result of Toad accidents were to be reduced. Statistics showed, that 35 per cent.^ of all motor-vehicles in the "Dominion were located in metropolitan areas, which had the greatest traffic density, and that 40 per cent, of all road accidents occurred in those areas. It was felt that if control were centralised to a greater extent there would be better results. ■ "fti Auckland there are no less than seventeen independent authorities controlling traffic," Mr. Semple said. "One of our first difficulties in traffic control lay in the "multiplicity, of bylaws. We have got over that.with the issue of national regulations and a national road code, but we have got to have a greater measure of unified control. I am looking at this Question no.t in terms of pounds, shillings, and- pence, but in. terms, of human life, and I am determined that lives must not be placed in jeopardy by a reckless transport system. . : . . ... "The existence of seventeen independent authorities in the Auckland metropolitan area is typical of what is happening elsewhere. We have compiled statistics and I am definitely, convinced .that-1 the major cause of accidents is the . prevalence, of incompeterit drivers. The test for a driving licence is not applied as it should be." TESTS MADE SEVERE.In Wellington, ' the Minister continued, the test for applicants for drivers' licences had been made very severe. Frequently cases arose in which a man applied for a licence and failed to pass the test. He went straight out to Petone or,the Hutt.and obtained his licence without any difficulty, and the liext thing the traffic officers knew was'that the ;mah was driving about in a high-powered car which lie had'hot'the knowledge or ability to control. ".'■■■ ■' . "There is another point.' If a""nian's driving licence expires, he just goes along and has it reissued automatically. His health or faculties may be "impaired, but the question of checking up never arises.: In consequence, there are : countless people .in charge of motor-cars today who are not fit to drive. I am of opinion that in (jities control should be vested in one body, with authority to;devise an organisation and method of examination which would be'absolutely up'to the. mark. The only objection I have heard to this is .that it may interfere, with the finances' of 'some of the smaller boroughs. That does "not" hold water. A man pays 5s for a driver's; licence. If the money is pooled for the" purpose of providing protectionr\bn.\rOacHr'to what better use could it "be put?" In Auckland the proposal was that the City Council . should issue all drivers' licences and use the revenue from licences and fines to extend its traffic control over the whole of the metropolitan area; Similar step's would be taken in all other centres, but in towns with populations under 6000 the Transport Department-would exercise direct control. ADVICE AND INSTRUCTION. "Some of these little towns," said Mr. Semple, "have traffic inspectors who are also the sanitary inspector, building inspector; dog-catcher, and rate collector all in one. They bring occasional prosecutions merely to justify their existence. We-want to wipe all that out and have men on the highway all the time, not with the idea of seeking prosecutions' and convictions, but for the purpose of advising and instructing motorists and controlling traffic when and where it should be controlled. Accidents will not be prevented.until we have a national organisation .to control the position throughout tKe Dominion." ■•■ '■'' ■■■■'■ v Mr. I. J. Goldstine, Mayor of One Tree Hill, said that the position had already been examined in brief by suburban local bodies. Reports.were being prepared and there was every prospect of,complete acceptance of the proposals. However, it was felt that suburban local bodies should have some representation on the committee of the City Council charged with administering traffic control schemes, that adequate records should be kept by the proposed central authority to show .whether or not outside areas were getting the necessary service, 'that the question of levies for any'possible deficiency in financing the scheme should be decided in advance, and that provision should be made for competent suburban traffic inspectors to be maintained in employment. .. .' . The: Minister said the points. raised by Mr. Goldstine were all perfectly reasonable and would most certainly receive consideration. Co-operation between' local bodies was essential.

The general principles of the scheme were also supported by representatives of other local bodies.!.