WALK, RIDE, AND DRIVE WITH SAFETY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 288, 6 December 1938, Page 9

WALK, RIDE, AND DRIVE WITH SAFETY

MINISTER’S SPECIAL APPEAL LEARN RULES OF THE ROAD "Throughout New Zealand, yesterday, we started the celebration o£ a Road Safety Week—a special effort by all local bodies, by all motorists and by all pedestrians, to spread the gospel of care and courtesy on the roads, during the coming Christmas holidays,” said the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple) in a statement to all newspapers. "From Christmas to the end of January last, 38 persons were killed and more than 800 injured. In a period of six weeks more than a thousand persons were injured on the roads. If I were to quote from newspapers details of the accidents that happened on the roads last Christmas holidays, I might unduly depress readers. I might make them feel that accidents were inevitable. Personally, I refuse to accept this view. I believe that 90 per cent, of these tragedies can be prevented if we really try to prevent them. Christmas and New I’ear Period “The Christmas and New Year period is a time for rejoicing. Witli improved forms of transport available, the whole of New ’ Zealand is now open as a playground. Most of us will be going somewhere this Christmas to beaches, lakes, or mountains. We all want to enjoy ourselves and 1 certainly want to do everything I can to ensure that everyone has not only a happy holiday, but a safe one. “With large numbers of people travelling, however, with 25,000 more vehicles on the road, and with many new drivers the risk of accident will be greatly increased. I would appeal to all road users to apply the Christmas message of goodwill to men. Let

us be more tolerant and more courteous during the holiday period. "To motorists I can offer the cooperation and assistance of all Government inspectors, I am sure, also, that this assistance will also be forthcoming from all local body inspectors. The inspectors are on the roads to help the motorist and to make the roads safer for all. If any motorist is in difficulty and stops a traffic inspector, he will receive courteous treatment and sound advice. The men will be in uniform and will be easily recognisable. 1 am arranging lor them to carry specially illuminated signs to indicate their presence at night-time. “As regards the Safety Week, I have received the greatest assistance from public and private organisations and the Press throughout New Zealand, and I want to offer them the thanks of the whole community. I feel that this Safety Week will have succeeded if it does not more than make people appreciate the necessity for care and courtesy on the roads, especially during tne approaching Christmas. No one wants, immediately after Christmas, to have to read a long list of traffic tragedies. I hope we shall have practically a clean sheet. I know that we can keep tragedy from the roads if we all do our bit by walking sensibly and driving safely. Co-operation Essential “The true spirit of democracy is the co-operation of all of the people for the good o£ all of the people. It should not be necessary to regiment, to instruct, and to regulate in every detail, the habits of motorists. The idea of the road safety campaign is freedom from restriction, provided all road users co-operate, with care and courtesy. Every road user must realise his responsibility for his own safety and for that of the traffic in which he moves. Regulation and control may simplify and clarity this responsibility but cannot remove it. It is a responsibility that calls for constant vigilance; it requires knowledge of tne rules of the road; it demands habitual and careful obedience to them. “These are three elementary obligations, yet they are commonly neglected and commonly, the neglect is a cause ol accident, injury, and death. Some road users are blind; some are ignorant; some are lawless; some are wilful. If the road safety week impresses these, it will more than have succeeded in its purpose. “And I would make one very special appeal. If you want to drink on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, keep oil the street and keep out of your car. An intoxicated pedestrian is a menace both to himseif and to other road users. The motorist who drives alter drinking, may be signing somebody’s death-warrant.

“Take the opportunity during this week to learn the rules of the road. Preach road safety, and practise what you preach. Remember that in the last analysis there is only one rule for safety on the road—think. Make your motto during the approaching holiday period—l shall walk sensibly. I shall drive Safely.”