TRAFFIC CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 6

TRAFFIC CONTROL

SAFETY ON THE ROADS

IMMEDIATE ACTION URGED^ "It is certain that unless something be done in a worthwhile way in the direction of educating-, controlling, and directing traffic, we in this country are in for a terrible, 'toll of the road' on the resumption of normal motoring conditions," said Mr. W. H. Hhidle, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, at this week's meeting of the chamber. "Any person who stands and observes traffic nowadays will seeimany breaches of the regulations, with com-mon-sense and . courtesy often-times dispensed with on the part of motorist and pedestrian alike," he said. "Not all motorists are careless, nor are all pedestrians lacking in care and courtesy, but it is a fact that far too great a degree of carelessness is apparent. This may be all right at the moment, but what will be the effect of the fall-ing-off in the standard of care in the immediate post-war years? Probably some hundreds of New Zealanders killed and thousands injured, representing a tragic loss to the community. . "Before the war educational safetyfirst campaigns were conducted by the transport authorities, under the auspices of the National Safety Council. Behind these campaigns were .business men and 'interests, such as the automobile, associations and -the insurance companies. I believe it is safe to say' that the Safety Council has .not met for nearly three years. That body should resume its functions at an early date. MUCH TO BE DONE. "We must begin now to prepare for the resumption of normal traffic conditions, for there is much to be done. The Safety Council should set about instituting educational campaigns on • a national scale. The wonderful work done by the Automobile Association in safety-first education in the rjriniary schools should be actively fostered and extended. All municipal and local body authorities who are interested in traffic control should now begin to build up their traffic-control staff, particularly in the way of applying for the release of all such men now in the Services other than in a fighting capacity. "An aspect of traffic control which might well be give^i consideration is whether traffic control should be the care of municipalities and local' authorities or be under-the Police Department," said Mr. Hindle. "Without in any way wishing to decry the past work of municipal and local authorities, there is much to be said in favour of traffic control being carried out by a separate branch of the Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, and the present, with our national trafficcontrol facilities at a very low point, is the appropriate time for. consideration and change, if decided upon. "It is hoped that this matter of traffic control and safety education will receive the attention which it merits. Mr. Semple did wonderful work in this sphere while he was Minister of Transport, and it is certain that if his successor, Mr. O'Brien, gives the matter his early and effective attention; he will have an army of helpers and wellwishers." ■■ v