TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20593, 18 June 1930, Page 12

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

OPENING OF CONFERENCE.

DANGER TO HUMAN LIFE.

" RECORD OF DISASTER."

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

The conference called by the Government to consider the best methods to adopt to reduce the number of traffic accidents began its deliberations in Wellington to-day. Those present included representatives of municipal councils, county councils, various bodies concerned with motor transport, the Railway Department and various organisations and

departments. Tho Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Railways, opened tho conference on behalf of the Hon. W. B' Taverner, Minister of Transport, \yho is absent from Wellington. ,

"We find," said Mr. Veitch, " that we are up against tho appalling situation at tho preesnt moment that as tho result of road accidents, we are losing just about one life per day." That was a tremendous record of disaster, he continued, and was one which must seriously influence the minds of tho people. It certainly called not only for careful consideration, but very definite and comprehensive remedien as far as it was possible to meet tho situation.

Possibility ol Reduction,

" These accidents, I sincerely believe, can bo considerably reduced in number, and I believe will be reduced in nuro ber as the result of the deliberations of this conference," continued the Minister. " I am sure you will agree with me that my successor, Mr. Taverner, as Minister of Transport, has acted wisely in confirming my earlier decision to call this conference which has assembled in order that the experience of all sections of those who are interested in transport may bo made available to the Government before it finally decides how the situation is to be met by legislation. The Minister said the comprehensive order paper covered all features of tho problem. First of all, there was the administration of the law. Then there was the enforcement of the law, and, thirdly, there were the penalties for offences against tho law. They had laid it down as a principle, and ho would like the conference to keep that principle in mind, that while considering the problem from its present viewpoint, first of all it was necessary to enforce such limitations and restrictions as would reduce the danger to human life that undoubtedly existed on the public roads the present time. On the other hand, they must bo careful not to exercise such interference and impose such restrictions as would interfere with the actual value of the transport services to the people.

Competitive Systems.

The question of railway versus road transport was always raised and considered. He did not like looking at- it from the point of view of railway versus road. He believed the proper viewpoint was railway and road transport. Finally they must bear in mind that the trans port service existed for the purpose of giving the peoplo facilities, and anything that tended to tho curtailment of those services would increase the cost of production and tho cost of living.

Tho conference then commenced its deliberations. Mr. J. S. Hunter, Commissioner of Transport, presided. The points submitted to tho conference for consideration cover a very wide range and include by-laws, third party risks, railway crossings, omnibuses and highways.

" ROAD SENSE" NEEDED.

STRATFORD CORONER'S VIEW.

[DY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] STRATFORD, Tuesday

An inquest was concluded to-day regarding tho death of William W. Scott, who was killed by a car going over a bank on the Strathmoro Saddle after colliding with another car at a bend. A verdict of accidental death was returned. Tho coroner, Mr. W. L. Kennedy, said that road accidents were much too frequent, but he did not think tho piling up of regulations would alter the situation, unless a moral road sense was cultivated among motorists. The road at the point where this accident happened was only 13ft. 7in. wido and tho coroner thought roads at such places should be widened. Something might be done if a portion of tho petrol and tyre taxes were diverted to providing for a road patrol in the shape of a policeman on a highpowered motor-cycle.