SAFETY ON ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22723, 8 May 1937, Page 14

SAFETY ON ROADS

OFFICIAL BOOKLETS DISTRIBUTION IN FEW DAYS INFORMATION FOR EVERYONE [BY TKIXGRAFH PBESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON", Friday "One of the major measures being taken by the Government in the interests of road safety is the distribution of the road code." said the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Scrapie, to-day. Supplies of booklets containing the code, and a summary of the traffic regulations, with il!'ist rations of traffic signs, would be despatched within the next few days to all local authorities which issued drivers' licences. A second booklet, giving the full text of traffic signs and regulations, and containing a detailed index, also was being similarly distributed.

Local authorities had been specially requested to ensure that every person obtaining a renewal of a licence or a new licence received a copy of each booklet. Arrangements had also been made to send the road code booklet to each home in the country, so that pedestrians and cyclists, as well as motorists, might be able to inform themselves of their rights and their duties under the recently-amended legislation governing all classes of traffic.

"L have felt that it is a duty failing on the Government to give everyone a full opportunity to become acquainted with the rules and regulations," said the Minister. "A few minutes spent in reading the cpde will be time well spent by the driver, cyclist or pedestrian, who has any regard for his or her own safety.

"I earnestly hopo that an everyday observance of the rules and a substantial decrease in accidents will follow. After all, the matter is largely one for the .good commonsense of each individual. No doubt there will be a small section of the people whose wilful carelessness and negligence will endanger life on tho public streets and roads, but public opinion and the Courts will deal with such people."