TRAFFIC CONTROL.

Evening Star, Issue 22524, 17 December 1936, Page 10

TRAFFIC CONTROL.

The Hon. R. Semple (Minister of Transport) is probably justified in claiming that his department is maintaining a fairly high percentage of reduction in the number of motor accidents. Since Mr Semple himself assumed Ministerial control the department has been nothing if not industrious. Certain amendments to the regulations have already come into force, and the promises of others, if faithfully kept, should do much to ensure the safety of the publio on the roads and streets. The Minister is not yet satisfied with the reduction rate of accidents, and apparently ho entertains high hopes that the new regulations approved yesterday by the Executive Council will have the desired effect. These regulations, which become law next Monday, are not aimed solely at motorists, regarded for many years as the only persons whose peregrinations needed legislative curbing. All users of the road, whether they be car drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians, will have to play a conscientious part in the Semplified scheme of things. And it is right that this should be so. It is only by cooperation on all-embracing lines that anything like perfection by way of control can be achieved. There is sound reason, for instance, in the rules to be observed by pedestrians in crossing roadways, ia waiting for trams, and in keeping to the footpaths, and nobody with the interests of the community at heart should cavil at the threat of pecuniary penalties for carelessness. Motorists, to return to them, should find it in their own interests that each one of them should have in his possession the certificate which, it is proposed, will testify to the fitness of his machine. The sum of 5s a year ought not to be a fee too great to pay for this particular form of insurance. Mr Semple announces further that a copy of the new code of regulations is to be sent to every home in New Zealand. It is a wise move, and the instructions to bo issued should be studied with care. In practically every country where tho

development of motor traffic'is becoming a problem the necessity to educate all sections of the community is being recognised, and in places where widespread methods of instruction have passed beyond the experimental stage a decrease in the number of accidents has been noticeable. 'Die solution of city parking difficulties is another matter sought by the department. Like the other centres, Dunedin is suffering from congestion of the present areas. A purely local contribution to a national scheme for the extension of parking places could be based on the construction of an orthodox area along the stretch of roadway at present sown down in grass extending along Cumberland street from Lower Rattray street to the engine sheds near the Oval. It may be held that this portion of the street us rather remote from the centre of the city, but, as there can be few alternative suggestions and as the development, of southern Cumberland street would at least relieve the congestion in Crawford street, the idea is one which should receive serious consideration.