ROAD PATROLS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21089, 15 July 1938, Page 8

ROAD PATROLS

GREATER POWERS IN FUTURE MINISTER SATISFIED WITH WORK By lelegraob —Press Association WELLINGTON. July 14. At the conclusion of a refresher course for Government traffic inspectors in Wellington to-day. the inspectors, who were from all parts of the Dominion, were addressed by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, who expressed entire satisfaction with the road patrol work during the 19 months in which the national scheme had been in operation. His desire was to get the traffic regulations as near perfect as possible, he said, and none was better able to say what was needed on the roads than the inspectors. If any inspector knew of anything that would help to give the public maximum service with minimum risk the Department would be glad of suggestions. Mr Semple emphasised the preventive side of traffic control as against the punitive, and said the Traffic Amendment Bill which would be passed next year if the Government was returned to office would improve the position of inspectors particularly as it would give the right of arrest. If road control were to be successful, convictions should decrease as motorists were taught to be careful. Statistics showed that service car driven, rarely had accidents. and if their training had that result, other drivers could be similarly trained. Experience where large crowds gathered and good control of traffic was arranged showed that control could obviate accidents. The inspectors assured Mr Semple that they were anxious to help in any way possible.