SAFETY FIRST

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 29 (Supplement)

SAFETY FIRST

DANGERS OF THE ROAD. • COMPETITION FOR DRIVERS. -i 1 The North Island Motor Union, has jbefore it at the present time a “Giifetylirst” scheme which has been operating ’with some success in Australia, and it is likely that a similar scheme will be into effect in New Zealand. When in Australia recently Mr. 11. C. Jones, of Auckland, who has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the North. Island Motor Union for some years, inquired. into the schemes which are controlled by the National Safety ■Council of Australia, an incorporated body whose Objects may be summed up as follows:—“For safety on flip, road, at work, and. in the home.” The couii.cil receives support from the Government, the Automobile Association,. and the public, and its work was recently ■ very favourably commented upon by the Senior Constable of Victoria, the police statistician, and the officer-in-charge of the traffic branch of the police force. The first scheme undertaken by the council is a “freedom from accident” competition for drivers of motor .vehicles. Reporting upon thus competition, Mr. Jones stated: “The competition, in our case, would be open to all drivers of motor vehicles who are continuously employed during the period of 12 months from date of entry in each year by local authorities, by commercial and other undertakings, and by individuals who are members of an affiliated association. The awards are: — (a) A diploma to every drjver who is certified by his- employer to have completed the twelve months from date of entry each year without being involved in any ■ accident fox’ which he was in anv way blameworthy. i; (b) A silver medal to every driver

itnpon first completing five consecutive • years of freedom from accidents for /cadi of ’which he holds the award of

ithe association, including that of the • current competition.

(c) A bar for medal to every driver for each further year of freedom from accident who is in possession of the above medal. (4) A gold medallion to every driver upon first completing ten consecutive years of freedom from accident for each of .which he holdo the award of the association, including that for the -current competition. ‘The conditions governing the com-

petition are very simple, but drivers must bo entered by their employers. Drivers who wish to compete must notify their employers of their desire to enter. Employers are required to send to their Automobile Association a list of entrants' for the current year. No nyards will be made unless competitors aro formally entered as above. Employers are required to forward, not ’later than 30 days after completion of •twelve months from date of entry, a declaration giving the names of all competitors who during the twelve months thus ended were regularly driving for at least ten calendar months, during which they were free from accident for which they were in no way blameworthy. Certificates will be pre-

sented in June and December of each year.”