Safety on Streets

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 10

Safety on Streets

EXAMPLE OF SUNDERLAND

The English Press generally has taken a great deal of notice of the traffic control system at Sunderland which came into prominence as a result of the reply to Mr Hore Belisha, British Minister of Transport, when he sought the reason for its remarkable freedom from accidents. Readers will remember that the reply came as a shock to the Minister, for it attributed its freedom largely to a system of filtering that is contrary to law. There is more to it than this, however. In a note on the Sunderland letter “The Times” said: The secret of Sunderland is the secret of persuading the users of the roads to side with authority and with each other, instead of imagining an enemy in everyone on wheel or on foot that they may see. And what Sunderland can do, the rest of the kingdom can do, if it chooses. If it chooses—in those words lie threequarters of the matter. “Public Opinion” quotes from the letter of the Town Clerk of Sunderland as follows: There is no reason why the present satisfactory position in regard to freedom from accidents should not continue. For some considerable time past the police have given particular attention to traffic problems, and in a tactful way have exercised a control which has had the effect of reducing unnecessary fast and risky running. Cautions in writing and verbal warnings have been issued where necessary, and only in serious cases, which have now been reduced to a minimum, have proceedings been taken against drivers. Through the medium of a local Safety Week, which was held from August 3 to 13, the general public have been made aware of the seriousness of the position so far as regards road accidents resulting through carelessness or neglect. During that week upwards of 250 large appropriate warning posters were displayed on boards made by members of the Fire Brigade and affixed to tramway and arc lamp standards, park railings, and in other suitable positions at important intersections, including the sea front, and also on the palisading and gates of school premises. Transparencies bearing a warning were also supplied to drivers, and affixed by them to the windscreens and windows of all types of motor vehicles, in addition to which the managers of theatres and picture halls were good enough to show a slide two or three times each day, bearingadvice as to the avoidance of accidents. Instruction on safety first principles is also given in all the elementary schools throughout the year. For some considerable time past constables on duty near to school premises which adjoin busy thoroughfares have had instructions to give attention to children crossing the roadways. During three or four periods of the

day the children are assisted across the carriageway when travelling to and from school, and it is felt that this action on the part of the police has had a most beneficial effect, the fact that the police are taking an interest in their welfare being the means of instilling in their young minds methods which doubtless will be adopted by them in avoiding risk and danger. This arrangement has been very favourably remarked upon by many people who witness the children assembled at these points, near the constable, waiting to be escorted across the road. In addition to the foregoing, it is the intention of the Chief Constable, when the schools re-assemble after the summer holidays, to have 20,000 warning notices in the form of small handbills printed and handed to schoolchildren by the constables on duty near the schools. These, of course, will not be handed to all the children attending elementary schools pf the borough, but the distribution will generally be confined to children between the ages of six and 13 years. For some time past the National Safety First Association has supplied the Chief Constable weekly with a number of window posters, which, at his request, have been very effectively displayed by shopkeepers and others. As a result of the above, and of the assistance which is readily given by the local Press, in public are becoming more accustomed day by day to the great increase in vehicular traffic. In conclusion, I would point out that ,while every effort is made to impress upon drivers of fast-moving vehicles and upon the general public the necessity for taking proper care to avoid accident, there is no undue slowing up of traffic, and congestion is reduced to the absolute minimum.