TOLL OF THE ROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 18

TOLL OF THE ROAD

GROWING ALARM IN NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT TO TAKE ACTION (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, March 7. Gravely concerned at the increased number of deaths and injuries caused by motor car accidents, the New South Wales Government. has asked the Commissioner of Police to make a special comprehensive report dealing with the position and means of improving it. Not only did the list of casualties show a big" increase in 1935 compared with 1034, but it is still growing. In the first two months of this year, the total of killed was 43 per cent, greater than the total for the first two months of 1935. Members of the State Parliament have stirred themselves to stop this growing toll of the road. The Deputy Premier (Mr Bruxner) told the Legislative Assembly this week that the Commissioner had been asked to devote special attention in his report and recommendations to the number of accidents in which taxis were involved. The House discussed the question of a speed limit, which was urged by Mr M'Kell.

Describing the increase in motor fatalities as appalling, Mr M'Kellysuggested that the higher speed of new model cars was partly responsible, and he expressed fear that as the brakes of these cars became less efficient with use, the number of road deaths would still further increase. He asked the Government to consider imposing a speed limit in specified areas. Mr Bruxner said that proposals for speed limits had been considered before. The police opposed statutory speed limits. They considered that the present law-forbidding driving in a manner dangerous to the public—was much more effective. Driving could be dangerous without being speedy. The present law enabled police to deal with that type of driving, he added. Mr M'Kcll retorted that the speed limit would not prevent them from continuing to deal also with other forms of dangerous driving. A day or so later another member, Mr Solomon, gave notice of the following motion: —"That in the opinion of this House, the increased number of deaths and injuries arising from road accidents necessitates immediate amendments to the motor traffic regulations. Such amendments to provide that: "Every application for registration or renewal of registration of a motor vehicle shall be accompanied by a certificate that such :t vehicle is in a safe and reliable condition. Every application for a motor vehicle driver's licence or renewal of a motor vehicle driver's licence shall be accompanied by a medical certificate that the applicant's health and condition is such that a licence could be issued with safety. The commissioner be empowered to make important traffic roads and streets right-of-way routes, and provide that no vehicle enter such right-of-way routes without first stopping and ascertaining that there is no oncoming traffic. That the motor traffic regulations be vigorously enforced, and that special constables be appointed by the commissioner to assist the police in upholding the regulations." Motorists say some of the suggestions of Mr Solomon contained much merit, but believe that each had to be considered carefully before being translated into law. There seems no objection to a certificate of the mechanical fitness of

the vehicle, provided an inspection i 3 carried out by the registration authorities when the vehicle was re-registered. At present all vehicles being re-registered after being idle for a time have to be presented for such examination. Applications for drivers' licences or renewals are required to answer questions relating to medical fitness. The suggestion that vehicles entering a main road from side streets should be compelled to stop would add to road safety, but only if adequate " through road ahead " signs are put up in all side streets entering the main road.