MOTORING OFFENDERS

Evening Star, Issue 22618, 9 April 1937, Page 14

MOTORING OFFENDERS

MAGISTRATE SUGGESTS EDUCATION SCHEME SPECIAL INSTRUCTION OH PROBATION [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 8. A novel scheme which is likely to be of considerable importance in the future administration of prosecutions for motoring offences in Wellington was announced by the principal Wellington magistrate (Mr E. D. Mosley) in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. The scheme, whicli, with the co-operation of the traffic authorities, is likely to be applied very soon, provides for offenders in special cases, and particularly when the offender is young, to be placed on probation for a period, a condition of the probation being the receiving of regular instruction from a special officer in road rules and road manners. Mr Mosley especially appealed to the local authority for its co-operation, and expressed the opinion that, properly administered, the scheme would be of very considerable value in developing an appreciation of road responsibility. Commenting on Mr’ Mosley’s proposal for dealing with motoring offenders, the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple) said: “ When I first investigated the road accident problem I realised that one of the most important factors in dealing with this matter was the education of the road user. If we can teach the motorist to be considerate and careful at all times, and to study and learn the rules of the road, we shall have gone a long way towards solving this serious problem. Viewed in this light, Mr Mosley’s suggestion is an excellent one, and has already been considered by me. It is in force in a number of States in America. I propose to refer the matter to my department for a report, and when the whole question has been investigated I will be in a position to comment more definitely on the proposal.” “ I think the scheme has considerable merit,” said ’the Wellington city engineer (Mr K. E. Luke), whose department includes the city traffic department. Provided the City Council gave its approval, he said, he would be prepared to co-operate by appointing traffic officers to act as instructors under the scheme. The personnel of the department included men highly qualified for such work. The proposal was also referred to Mr E. A. Batt, chairman of the Executive of the Automobile Association (Wellington), who pointed out that the suggestion would involve some new form of legislation or regulation.