SAFETY FIRST

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 17 February 1921, Page 4

SAFETY FIRST

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I must compliment you on the leading article which appeared in the! Hawera Star some few days past re motor speed, cycling on footpaths, etc.! I though perhaps some aiblei*-. pen than mine would be only too pleased to open out congratulations, but seemingly it' does not Or may effect many who do not wish to rush into these deserving remarks of censor for' safety's sake. Up to the present time there has never been much attention on the part of the public towards the increasing danger of motor traffic, more so the danger caused by excessive speed. Throughout the whole Dominion excessive speed is indulged in, but Hawera, which is noted for the finest roads in the Dominion, can uphold its end for motor accidents, many of which are never seen or heard of to avoid publicity. No doubt the police do their bit towards overcoming the speed limit, etc., but I am certain that should the Police Department throughout G*d's Own Country receive a certain percentage of all fines collected from the petrol driven machines there would be more care taken on both sides as regards public safety. One has only to steadily study the increasing motor traffic m this district, the risks that are taken, perhaps not in the mind of the motorist (of course, not all motorists included), in rounding corners in this town, intersections, and mainly when out of police sight. Why, w e have several parts or the town which seem, to be regarded by certain petrol indulgers as a racing) track. It is a constant worry to resiS. n*S ,??2 Min S in these parts when their children are outside their own gates. If teachers at our local schools wcmld advise children during their leisure hours to keep off the traffic portion of the street, and to always look both ways before crossing a street, it would not only be beneficial in avoiding accidents, but would also relieve a certain amount of uneasiness from the parents during the child's absence rrom home. Anyway, a visit from Vie-

tona street towards the Park occa- +^ Uy u WOUI d the public as to the 'benefit good Toads are to the motorist Thanking you for space _ 1 am, etc., SAFETY' FIRST. I