ELIMINATING ROAD DANGERS

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 23

ELIMINATING ROAD DANGERS

MINISTER'S INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN UNIFIED CONTROL NECESSARY [Pek United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, February 12. _ “ The whole question of motor taxation is being reviewed with a view to simplifying _ the present complicated system,” said the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple) in an interview on his arrival at Invercargill this afternoon. “ The roads are being made much safer with the object of encouraging people to use them and of preserving human life. A simple national system of control is being adopted in place on the former complicated system of local restrictions, under which neither the motorist nor anyone else kn.ew his responsibilities. “ Far-reaching proposals are being carried out for improving, widening, and straightening the highways of the Dominion. All these proposals are aimed at promoting the development of all forms of motor transport. “ One of the main points of the Government’s policy is to promote the best roads possible for motoring, and Jo ensure that these roads ' are not death traps. By this policy it is hoped that the benefits of science in the form of the_ modern car may be enjoyed by all citizens in this country. Personally, I would like to see a motor car for every family. “As I visualise the position at present it seems desirable that there should be three main divisions of traffic control,” continued Mr Semple. “ These should be: —First, four main metropolitan districts where traffic inspectors should be under one control in each district. These districts will comprise four main cities and surrounding centres, which, for the purposes of motor traffic control, may be regarded as single units; secondly, boroughs with populaitions of 6,000 and over, which will con-trol-their own traffic; and thirdly, smaller townships and rural areas will be under a national system of control. “ I wish to refer particularly at the moment to the four metropolitan districts. No less than approximately 35 per cent, of the total motor vehicles in New Zealand are located in these districts, and they are areas of the greatest traffic density. During the last seven years approximately 40 per cent, of the fatal accidents have occurred in these areas. It will therefore he readily appreciated that if we are to aim at safer roads and streets we must have the most efficient system of control it is possible to obtain in these areas. “ It seems to me that with the whole of the enforcement staff in each district under one control, the system would he uniform, elastic and more efficient than the present diversified control. I feel confident that a unified system of traffic control will result in much better traffic conditions, and will

be a big step in the direction of coping with the road accident problem.” Said Mr Semple, who concluded by referring to the spirit of helpfulness and cooperation on the part of the bulk of the motoring public.