Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MARCH 27th, 1922. “SAFETY FIRST.”

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 March 1922, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MARCH 27th, 1922. “SAFETY FIRST.”

When time is taken to consider the great and increasing* number of traffic accidents that occur in New Zealand annually, and the steps being taken to prevent further loss of life from this cause are considered on the other hand, there is felt a certain amount of surprise that more enthusiasm is not taken in the campaign that has for its slogan, “Safety first.” It cannot be doubted that the typical street accident is, in the majority of cases, wholly or partially due to thoughtlessness or carelessness on someone’s part, and the logical remedy for the evil is education. Educate the public as to their rights when rising the

streets as pedestrians or as drivers of vehicles; bring- home to the pedestrian the fact that he is looking for trouble in ignoring the existence of other traffic, and that if lie steps off a. .footpath into the roadway without first lookingwhere he is stepping, he has only himself io thank for any unpleasant consequences. Bring home to the drivers of motor and other vehicles that they have certain rights which must not be exceeded, that they do not own the whole road, and that driving skill should not be allowed to lead to carelessness. Even the best of drivers make mistakes, and a mistake on the part either of driver or pedestrian has consequences that cannot be undone, no matter how greatly they may be regretted. AU this, of course, is obvious; but the importance of the matter, unfortunately, does not appear to be generally recognised. Otherwise more interest and energy would be put into the task of effecting a remedy. It is true that occasional references have been made by Greymotif b. Borough Councillors to the necessity for motor by-laws, and there is much to be said for Cr. H. F. Doogan’s contention that it is unwise to make local by-laws which may become useless when the Highways Bill is approved by Parliament. In passing, it maybe remarked that the suggestion made by Cr W. C. S. Colclough, that every applicant be required to pass an examination before being granted a. motor driver’s licensb, is worthy of serious consideration. The granting of licenses merely on the strength of a police recommendation as to the applicant’s character is not, to say the least, a wise policy. An unblemished character does not necessarily carry with it the ability drive a motor vehicle in a proper manner. An age limit should also' be imposed. Under existing conditions it is not uncommon to see school children driving motor cars through the town. The speed limit is also a matter for serious attention These arc all points to be remembered when by-laws are being framed, and there are many others which could be detailed. In The meantime, however, somechiag should be done to . educate the publie. It may be argued that the need for precautions is not so great in Greymouth as in the centres, but wherever there is traffic there is more or less danger, and it cannot be deuied. that motor traffic is steadily increasing locally. There is urgent need for the institution of a ‘‘safety first” campaign, as the traffic conditions, particuiatly with reference to pedestrians, savour strongly of Rafferty’s ■ rules. Such a campaign could be based upon that proposed at Christchurch, one of the features ( of which is a series of short lec- . lures to school children on the ; following main points : — 1 (1) Keep off the roadway except 1 when you must cross it. (2) Look for ] danger, first to right, then to left, 1 before crossing the road. (3) When crossing the road, always cross at right angles to footpath. (4) Walk f quickly, but do not run across the y road. (5) When in the city, only f cross the streets at defined crossings. (6) AVhen leaving the tramcar or vehicle, look both ways for other ( vehicles, and go straight to footpath. (7) Bo not play or stand talking on j

the roadway. (8) When riding a bicycle, be careful to keep on the left side of the road, sound bell when coming to corners, keep well on the proper side when turning a corner. (9) Teach children direction signals. The lectures, which, could be much brief and interesting*, would pro. baldy bring* forward publicspirited members of the Automobile Association or other citizens willing to deliver them. Fail ing these, the school teachers could undertake the duty, and the half-hour, say, necessary for the purpose could be profitably deducted from the time allotted tc some less important subject in the curriculum. Points eight and nine of the proposed lectures are commended to the attention of cyclists and motorists. Bells are a novelty on Greymouth bicycles, while direction signals, with the exception of a few local motorists, are given almost entirely by visitors to the town. The fact that street accidents have not as yet been numerous at Greymouth is no guarantee for the future.