OUTRAGE TO HUMANITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20591, 14 December 1928, Page 9

OUTRAGE TO HUMANITY

DANGERS OF THE ROAD

BILL IN HOUSE OF LORDS.

CUnlted. Press Association.)

(By Electric Telegraph r -Copynght.)

LONDON, December 12. {Received Dec. 13; at 6.5 p.m.) In the House of Lords, Viscount Cecil moved the second reading of the Road Vehicles Bill, the object of which is to reduce the number of accidents. It provides that driving licenses shall be granted only after examination as .to skill and physical fitness, and- compels drivers to insure against third party risks. Licenses will bo suspended automatically in the event of a conviction for dangerous or incompetent driving. Viscount Cecil described the present position as incredibly serious. Five thousand persons were killed,and 250,000 injured every year in road accidental Road dangers were an outrage to humanity and a disgrace to civilisation.

Lord Denman, in moving the rejection of the BiR, agreed with the necessity of stiffening the law, but said motoring bodies held that the Bill would increase the number of accidents.

Lord Londonderry, on behalf of the Government, said that everyone agreed that a motor Bill was necessary, but the regulations must bo sympathetic and must not hinder a young and flourishing industry. A Royal Commission was considering Viscount Cecil’s points, and it was undesirable to legislate until it had reported.—Australian Press Association— United Service.