SCHOOL FOR DRIVERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23221, 19 June 1937, Page 24

SCHOOL FOR DRIVERS

A SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION INTRODUCTION IN OTHER CENTRES (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, June 18. ‘ I am more than pleased at the results achieved so far under the piobation scheme for certain motoring offences,” stated the Minister of Transport (Mr R. Semple) in an interview to-day. Mr Semple stated lhat through the courtesy of Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., he had been supplied with a copy of the probation officer’s report, and he had read it with considerable interest and not, a bttle pleasure. “ The outstanding feature of the report,’, Mr Semple said, “is the statement that the stipulated periods of instruction were exceeded by from 20 minutes to half an hour, as owing to the interest shown there was never any indication from the probationers that they wished to cease at the correct time. The instruction was made as graphic and as interesting as possible and the instructor certainly knew his job. All sorts of Questions were fired at him at the conclusion of each class, and where necessary he illustrated his replies on a blackboard.

“ Graphs showing traffic flows, accident spot maps, parking spot maps, accident returns and photographs of accidents were all utilised during the period of instruction,” the Minister continued. “ The probationers were invited to trace on the accident spot map the streets they mainly used when driving, and they were astounded at the prevalance of accidents shown on their routes. Assisted by the illustrations on the blackboard detailed instruction was given showing the relative distances motor vehicles travelled as compared with pedestrians in the same period of time, the minimum stopping distances of vehicles at different speeds, and the important part that the driver’s reaction plays in an emergency. The final lesson consisted of answering a series of written questions, and these were all answered correctly The course was most complete and instructive and reflects the greatest credit on the officers concerned.

“ Mr Mosley is to be congratulated on the success of his experiment," the Minister concluded, “ and now that its value has been proved I am sure that other magistrates will not hesitate to adopt this method of correction. Arrangements will be made for similar courses of instruction in all the larger centres, and the courts may rest assured that the officers of my department will co-operate with them in every way.”