PROBLEMS OF TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 13

PROBLEMS OF TRAFFIC.

INQUIRY IN BRITAIN.

GREAT TASK INVOLVED.

ROYAL COMMISSION TO SIT. (Received October 17, 5.25 p.m.i Briti.il) Wholes-. RUGBY. Oct. IG. Tlie Royal Commission on Transport on Thursday will begin what is probably tlio biggest inquiry held in recent years. It is expected to take at least two years and to provide ri basis for legislation which will radically change the transport system of Britain. Tho entire field of transport' outside London—which will be treated separately under the London traffic pool scheme—is to be considered, including transport by sea, coast and ferries, with the object of organising it to the greatest public advantage.

It will be the task of the Commission to adjust the rival interests of the local authorities which own tramways and omnibuses, private road transport interests and - railways traffic. Experts, taking a long view, anticipate that the result will be the creation of transport pools for important areas in the provinces similar to the pool projected for London. Sir Arthur Griffith Boscawen, formerly Minister of Health, is chairman of the Commission.

The Transport Commission was set up in July last,. Its terms of reference areTo take into consideration the problems arising out of the growth of road traffic, and with a view to securing the employment of the available means of transport in Great Britain—including transport by sea, coastwise, and by ferries—to the greatest public advantage;, lo consider and report what measures, if any, should be adopted for their better regulation and control, and, as far as is desirable in the public interest, to promote • their co-ordinated working and development. The following are the members of the Commission: —Sir A. Griffith Boscnwen (chairman), Major J. J. Astor, M.P., the Earl of Clarendon, Mr. H. E. Crawfuid. M.P.. Sir Ernest V. Hiley, Mr. S. Lcannont. Sir William Lobjoit, Mr. F. Montague, M.P., the Marquess of Northampton, Major Isidore Salmon, M.P., Mr. W. R. Smith, and Sir Matthew G. Wallace. FATAL ACCIDENTS. BRITAIN'S HEAVY TOLL. THE REASONS ANALYSED. (Received October 17. 11.45 p.m.) United Service. LONDON Oct. 17. In a statement apropos of the Transjsort Commission the Home Secretary, Sir William Joynson-Hicks, savs:— England's traffic problem has become a nightmare. Thirty-three thonsand people have been killed in the streets in the last 10 years. The hospitals are overcrowded as a result of motorists speeding. Coroners report that 40 per cent, of the fatal accidents are due to the carelessness of motorists, 35 to 40 per cent, to that of pedestrians, and the balance are equally due to defects in vehicles, the condition of the roads, fogs, and cutting in.