TAKE IT EASY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 16, 26 August 1946, Page 6

TAKE IT EASY

MAYOR’S ADVICE TO ROAD USERS ELIMINATING ROAD DANGERS In a special address in the course of the recently launched ‘Road Safety Campaign’ sponsored by the A.A. (Auckland) the Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. A. C. Allum, last Thursday evening said as follows: When danger or distress becomes obvious there is usually someone who has the courage to say—“THIS THING MUST STOP.” Well, tonight, on behalf of the Automobile Association (Auckland) I have the greatest pleasure in formally opening a Provincial Road Safety campaign—a campaign to reduce the grief, suffering and death caused by the rising toll of road accidents.

In regard to this “Death on the Road,” I am confident that every listener will support the A.A.’s demand—“ This Thing Must Stop.” The A.A. Campaign will be an educational effort—an appeal to commensense, and a request to observe the traffic regulations—for everyone to recognise the right of all other road users.

The slogan of the A.A. Road Safety Campaign—“ Take It Easy”— applies to us all. Remember, whether you walk, ride or drive—“ Take It Easy.” Safety in any community depends not only upon the skill and care of motor drivers but also upon the cooperation and discretion of pedestrians. An inconsiderate or thoughtless pedestrian may cause just as much danger to himself, and to others, as any reckless motor driver. I am deeply grateful to the Automobile Association for its enterprise, and I appeal to every citizen—“ Take It Easy”—the law must be observed. I speak to everyone—pedestrians, cyclists and motor cyclists—to all motor drivers whether private or commercial car, lorry or delivery van, taxis, buses and service cars, and tram motormen —If you fail to do your part—if the appeal of the A.A. does not impress on you the need to obey the traffic regulations, then you must not complain if the City Traffic Department, the Transport Department and other traffic inspectors are compelled to take firm, and even drastic action to protect the lives and property of law abiding citizens. As Mayor of Auckland I am very worried at the number of our people who are being injured in street accidents—it is so easy to say, “something must be done about it”—“conditions must be improved”—but how are we going to do it? Some people advocate wholesale prosecution, but the authorities are loath to adopt such drastic measures, except, perhaps, after the failure of an exhaustive effort by instructional, and educational warnings. Don’t let it come to that. Suppose you were given absolute control over traffic—how would you go about the task of bringing careless pedestrians and inconsiderate motorists to their sense?—Stop and think about that for a while, and remember that this campaign, which I am opening tonight, is sponsored by the Automobile Association (Auckland) for that very purpose. You must do everything in your power to prevent accidents. I know you will help. Remember whether you walk, ride or drive “TAKE IT EASY.”