TRAFFIC RULES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1937, Page 5

TRAFFIC RULES

NOVEL SCHEME

FOR INSTRUCTION OF OFFENDERS

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, April 8.

A novel scheme likely to be of considerable importance in the future administration of prosecutions in Wellington for motoring offences was announced by the principal Wellington magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. The scheme, which, with the cooperation of th'e traffic authorities, is likely to be applied very soon, provides for offenders in special eases and particularly when the offender is young, to be placed on probation for a period, a condition of the probation being that the offender received regular instruction from a special officer in road rules and road manners.

Ihe magistrate especially appealed to the local authority for its co-opera-tion, and expressed the opinion that a properly administered scheme would be of very considerable value in developing appreciation of road responsibility.

APPROVED BY MINISTER.

WELLINGTON, April 8.

The following statement was issued by the Minister for Transport (the Hoii. R. Semple) when the proposal of Air E. D. Mosley, S.M., for dealing with motoring offenders was referred to him :

“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, careful at all times, and to study and learn the rules of the road we will have gone a long way in solving this serious problem. Viewed in this light, Air Alosley’s suggestion is an excellent one, and has already been considered by me, as it is in force in several states in America. I propose to refer the matter to my department for a report, and when the whole question has been investigated t will be in a position to comment more definitely on the proposal.” "I think the scheme has considerable merit,” said the Wellington City Engineer, Air Iv. E. Luke, whose department includes the city traffic department. Provided the City Council gave approval 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 referred to Air E. A. Batt, chairman of the executive committee of the Automobile Association (Wellington), who said that the suggestion would involve some new form of legislation or regulation.