ROAD SAFETY SCHEME ADVOCATED FOR ALL JUNIOR CHAMBERS

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 1947, Page 4

ROAD SAFETY SCHEME ADVOCATED FOR ALL JUNIOR CHAMBERS

A recommendation that all Junior Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand consider the question of setting up road safety committees, similar to one already established in Hutt City, with the object of educating the puoiic in road safety, was adopted by the annual convention of the New Zealand Junior Chamber of Commerce in Wanganui yesterday. Delegates speaking on this question emphasised tnat if only one lite was saved the efforts would be well worth while. The chairman of the chamber’s national road saiety committee. Mr. J. f. Y. Schischka (Auckland) reported on the recent road saiety campaign conducted in all parts ot New Zealand by junior chambers, but stated that it was not possible to give a detailed account of the result because some chambers had not submitted reports on the campaign in their towns. The committee organising the campaign printed 25,000 publicity posters, out these were found to be inadequate. In addition, 100,000 copies ol tne road safety booklet were published, but here again the quantity was insufficient.

The campaign, however, v. as not a final answer, Mr. Schiscnka added. The death roll from road accidents in New Zealand, in proportion to petrol consumed, or miles travelled, was fortunately low when compared witli overseas countries, but it was an accepted fact that many road accidents were due to lack of care. The Hutt City Junior Chamber had formed a traffic safety association, which included representatives of the Transport Department, local bodies and other organisations, the object being to promote road safety and to educate the public. The question of future national road safety campaigns in New Zealand had been considered by the committee, said Mr. Schiscnka, it it was telt that they were not the final answer. It was more difficult to teach an adult than a child, and lhe committee felt that it would be better to teach a young person how to drive properly, rather than endeavour to get an older person to mend his ways. The committee recommended that consideration be given to the question of more advanced education. Generally speaking, training in road safety did reduce the number of accidents.

It was also suggested by the committee that the Transport Department and local bodies be responsible for issuing all warrants of fitness, a move which would necessitate the establishment of proper testing stations.

Another recommendation by the committee, Mr. Schischka added, was that the Education Department be urged to provide driving education lor senior secondary school pupils. This had been tried out with much success in the United States of America.

"A propaganda campaign, the committee considers, is not the final answer to the problem of reducing road accidents," the report added. "Greater attention should be paid to teaching young people the rignt way to use the road. Good work has already been done by automobile associations in organising school patrols. There should be advanced education for secondary schools. It is recommended that the New Zealand Junior Chamber investigate this latter factor. Possibly a suitable training scheme couid be worked out for suomission to the authorities.”

After a discussion the convention agreed that the junior chambers throughout New Zealand be asked to consider adopting a scheme similar to that in Hutt City.