SAFETY FIRST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17186, 9 November 1926, Page 5

SAFETY FIRST

MOTORISTS CONCERNED TOO MANY ACCIDENTS tSp*cial to the Herald.) CHRISTCHUROII, this day. The best method of granting drivers' licenses came in for discussion at last night's meeting; of the executive committee oi the south Island Motor Union. Mr. A. E. Ansell, the chairman, was of the opinion that the association should make an effort to lessen the number of motor accidents, winch whs far too great for a young country like New Zealand. It was not recent accidents that caused him to take this stand, but he thought there was a great laxity in the licensing of drivers. In suiue c;ises the recipients of licenses were decidedly inefficient. Mr. Ansell said he thought accidents would be minimised if the separate associations took the matter up strongly. His own association had set up a "safety of the road", committee. The South* Island Association; as the controlling body for southern motorists, should take a lead in any reform in this' connection. Though a test was imposed on city motorists, country people were only required to pay a 5s fee. HARDER TESTS WANTED. "Licenses are. granted to people who could not wheel a barrow." was Mr. F. YV. Johnston's comment. In his opinion the only way to get over the difficulty was to institute some form of driving competition in which drivers could be instructed. Exhibitions were needed on stunt skidding, and other difficult feats which departed from the old hard and fast style of driving. Too many old people were driving cars, and he recommended an age limit of say* 55 years.

Mr. B. Falcke stated that the Canterbury Association had formed a sports and" social committee, and it had been suggested that a "safety week" should he held, during which the different ideas discussed by "the recent conference in America would be tried. In this matter the different associations should take united action.

Mr. J. S. Hawkes thought the carrying out of a safety campaign would be difficult, and traffic control was in good hands at present. (Dear, hear). It was decided that the matter of a "safety week" campaign be thoroughly discussed at the quarterly meeting to beheld at Oamaru, and that all associations be asked their opinions on the subject. .