A Great Reform: Control of the "Inconsiderate Motorist."

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 2, 1 December 1908, Page 50

A Great Reform: Control of the " Inconsiderate Motorist."

In July last the President of the Local Government Board — John Burns to wit — gave a very significant warning to the inconsiderate motorists who had then made life unbearable to the majority of the users of the roads throughout Britain. He said, in answer to some questioner, Cathcart Wason, the persistent ex-New Zealander. if we remember right — "Motorists would be well advised if they realised that public opinion was hardening considerably against the man who owned a motor-car and drove it under conditions and at a speed which were not in accordance with the neighbourly and kindly amenities that ought to exist among all drivers on the roads. They would be well advised if they recognised how public opinion was moving, and did not provoke the department to go to the extreme length anti-motorists had advised them to go, which he would be very reluctant to do. They had to be told and, if necessary, compelled to put their house in order." How true these words were may be estimated from the lengthy correspondence which we published from the Times and various other journals in our November issue. No one could go through that correspondence without coming to the conclusion that the motor drivers of the British world have among them some very black sheep indeed, whose bad behaviour

justifies the public feeling setting in so strongly against the motorists of Britain. Later in the year the Royal Automobile Club took the matter up and drew the attention of its general committee to investigate and report. That body did so with most commendable promptitude. Briefly it devised a scheme for the suppression of what it styled "a nuisance which is one of

the most important questions of motor politics at the present time." It went on to condemn the behaviour of certain motorists, a small proportion, it is true, but such, nevertheless, as to cause grave inconvenience and discomfort, and frequently considerable danger, to other users of the King's highway. For fear lest this should prejudicially affect motor legislation in the near future, the committee advised the Automobile Club to take the matter up, organise all the clubs under itself, leaving each to supervise the motor traffic in its own district, and to do so by getting each club to appoint a committee for the purpose, called the ' ' Inconsiderate Driving Committee. ' ' It advised, in addition, the establishment of friendly relations with all the cyclist organisations, the issue of an invitation to the general public to report all cases coming under their cognisance to the local club, the latter undertaking to keep the correspondent informed of all proceedings and their results. Also to come to a proper understanding with the police on the subject, so as to convert what is now a hostile basis into mutual relations of help. The following is the text of the

report as to the repressive measures recommended as a working system: — Repressive Mevsures. It has been agreed that any necessary repressive measures are to be taken by the clnb in whose area the car complained of is registered. The name and address oC the registered owner ol' the ear may be ob-

tamed by application to the proper registration authority on payment of the fee of Is. It is necessary in order to obtain such information to give adequate reason for requiring it, and if it is stated that it is required for the purpose of investigating a complaint of inconsiderate driving, the information will at once become forthcoming.

In an ordinary case in which the offence is the first known to have been committed, or is of a trivial nature, it will probably be sufficient if the offender be seen personally whenever possible, or failing a letter should be written to him pointing out the importance of displaying every consideration on the road. In more serious cases stronger action is necessary, and the following are among the steps which may be taken : — ■ 1. "Where, in the opinion of the local club, the circumstances demand it, to suggest prosecution. 2. To expel from membership of his automobile club. 3. If a professional driver, or one otherwise entered on the competitors' register, to recommend removal of his name for a certain period. 4. If a driver holding R.A.C. certificate or registered for employment to recommend withdrawal of certificate or removal from register. The local club will keep a proper record of every complaint which, in the opinion of its Inconsiderate Driving Committee, is justifiable, and a "complaint book" Avill be supplied for this purpose. The Inconsiderate Driving Committee will periodically examine this record with a view to taking special action in any case requiring such a course. The essence of the scheme is: — (a) Active co-operation between the local clubs and the police. (ft) A closer union between the local clubs themselves, and combination to suppress inconsiderate driving. (c) All investigations into reports of inconsiderate driving to be conducted by

the club in whose area the offence is committed. (d) All repressive action to be taken by the club in whose sphere the car is registered. Of course the club was to co-operate to the utmost of its power with the local clubs. It was a scheme complete and fairly workable, and, above all things remarkable, for the good will with which the leading motorists of the Kingdom went into it. Almost at once the whole of the local clubs took up the suggestion, and the motor world is now engaged in the business of setting its house in order. At the same time the Local Government Board was not idle. It addressed itself to the County and Borough Councils, and discoursed to them anent the evils of the motor traffic due to the inconsiderateness of the few. who ought to be repressed. One reads the document with much attention, seeing that its author is the practical John Burns, and the object is to help the motorists who are trying to help themselves. Before deciding upon fresh legislation, the Board draws attention to the provisions of the existing law, which, it thinks, should be sufficient to prevent most of the evils complained of. In particular it considers that racing, either by motor-omnibuses or other motor vehicles, on the public highways should be rigorously suppressed. The circular acknowledges that a speed of ten miles an hour may often be exceeded with safety, and offers some advice as to the conditions in which the lower speed limit may properly be imposed. After inviting the road authorities themselves to help in diminishing the risk of accidents by the rounding off of street corners, the pruning of hedges, and other measures, the Board discusses the dust nuisance, which, it fears, cannot at present be altogether removed. It recommends the road authorities, however, frequently to water the roads