Treat Cyclists Like Stock, says Motorist

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 6

Treat Cyclists Like Stock, says Motorist

Expect Foolish Move And Avoid Trouble

AUTO PRESIDENT SEES SAFETY IN COURTESY

“If you treat pedestrians and cyclists in the same way as stock, that is, expect them to do the foolish thing, you will avoid trouble,” declared Mr \V. Webb at tho annual meeting last night of the Automobile Association (Maunwatu). The association was discussing the need for minimising road accidents. “Nothing is facing the automobile associations more emphatically to-day than the number of road accidents,” declared tho re-elected president, Mr N. H. Mackie. "Most of the associations of the Dominion are appealing to their members, to cyclists, to pedestrians, etc., to co-operate with the Minister of Transport (Hon. E. Semple) in reducing the number of accidents.

“It has been suggested that the term "gentlemen of the road” snould be reserved for those who do truly observe the courtesies of the road and who genuinely attempt to reduce the number of accidents.

“I am confident that if those driving cars will do so with all courtesy and unselfishly—for motoring certainly tends to make men selfish —tho number of accidents will be materially reduced. If the new draft regulations are adopted, they must, to become effective, have the co-operation of the motorists and, indeed, everyone on the road.

“It is realised in all countries to-day that the education of motorists, apart from fines and penalties, is a vital thing. In America and elsewhere, special methods have been adopted for those guilty of less serious offences. There remains, of course, tho other type —the drunken motorist. The only school for him is tho Court. Immediate Ideal.

"I am certain that if, in the next 12 months, motorists would be ■ courteous to all classes of road users, the uujr bd’r of accidents would be considerably icduced,” said Mr Mackie. “Has anything been done to educate High School pupils'!” inquired Mr A. W. Bearsle.v. Only the morning after one of Mr justice Blair’s radio lectures on road safety, said Mr Bearsley, he had seen four High School boys riding abreast up Bangitikei street. Behind them was another string of four. Girls' High School pupils and Massey College students were also offenders.

Mr Mackie pointed out that the association had been consistently active in seeking to educate pupils in road sense. Tho draft regulations mado provision for prosecution of cyclists who rode dangerously abreast. No amount of telling seemed any good. Something a little more severe seemed necessary. No amount of lecturing would overcome child mentality, said Mr Webb. Motorists had to be prepared for the unexpected actions of other people on the road. It was i one of the trials of motoring.