ROAD SAFETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 21 July 1937, Page 2

ROAD SAFETY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 21. The need for public interest and cooperatoni for the prevention of road acc.dents was stressed by the ActingMinister of Transport (Hon. H. G. R. Mason) at a meeting of the New Zealand Road Safety Council to-day. The fullest appreciation of the problems facing the council and the_ active interest and help of all members of the public was eminently desirable, he said. Personally, he considered that such co-operation was necessary. Since the road safety campaign was opened in September, 1936. to June, 1937, the death rate had decreased by 20 per cent., although an increase in the motor traffic of 14 per cent, was estimated. Expressed in another way, that meant that 40 lives had been saved. Tbe report presented by tbe Commissioner of Transport to the meeting showed that tbe statistics collected PMico March 15 indicated that certain districts bad had mere accidents than others, and local bodies bad be<m asked to investigate the causes. They also indented that certain drivers were accident prone. The council agreed that pedal cycles should be licensed for identification purposes but not for revenue production. and a recommendation to this effect was carried. A test for drivers over a certain age was also recommended, the age not being stated. A suggestion that the penalty for intoxication while in charge of a car should be doubled was rejected. Members of tbe council expressed tbe opinion that the present penalty provided sufficient scope, and it should be given more time to show results.