ROAD DANGERS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19957, 18 June 1930, Page 7

ROAD DANGERS.

HEAVY TOW* OF LIFE. effort to make highways SAFER. [TBS PRESS Special Service.] ■WELLINGTON, June 17. The conference called by the Government to consider the beat methods to adopt to reduce the number of traific accidents, began its deliberations m Wellington to-day. Those present included representatives, of Municipal Councils, County Councils, various bodies connected with motor transport, the Railway Department, and various organisations and Departments. The Hon, W. A. Veitch (Minister for Railways) opened the conference on behalf of the Minister for iransport (the Hon. W. B. Taverner), who is absent from Wellington. "We find," said the Minister, "that we are up against the appalling situation at the present moment that as a result of road accidents we are losing just about one life per day.'' That was a tremendous record of disaster, and was one which must seriously influence the minds of the people. It certainly called not only for careful consideration, but very definite and comprehensive remedies so far as it was possible to meet the situation. "These accidents I sincerely believe can be considerably reduced in number, and I believe will be reduced in number, as a result of the deliberations of this conference," continued the Minister. "I am sure you will ngree with me that my successor, Mr Taverner, as Minister for Transport, h*is acted wisely in confirming my earlier decision to call this conference with a view of considering how to meet the difficulties which involved a great deal of technical knowledge, which can only he acquired by experience. This conference has been called in order that the experience of all sections of those who are interested in transport may be made available to the Government before it decides how the situation is to be met by legislation," The Minister said the decidedly comprehensive order paper covered all features of the problem. First of all there was the administration of the law. Then there was the enforcement of the law, and, thirdly, there were the penalties for offences against the law. They had laid it down as a principle, and he would like the conference to keep that principle in mind, that while considering the problem from its present viewpoint, first of all it was necessary to enforce such limitations and restrictions as would reduce the danger to human life that undoubte'dly existed on the public roads at the present time, and. on the other hand, they must he careful not to exercise such interference and impose such restrictions as would inter fere with the actual value of these transport services to the people. The question of railway versus road transport was always raised and considered. He did not like looking at it from the point of view of railway versus road. He believed the proper viewpoint was railway and road transport. Finally, they must bear in mind that transport service, as all public services, existed for tho purpose of giving the people facilities, and anything that tended to the curtailment of those services would increase the cost of production and the cost of living. There were great possibilities in the conference. The conference then commenced its deliberations. Mr J. S. Hunter, Commissioner of Transport, presided. • The points submitted to the conference for consideration cover a very wide range, and include by-laws, thirdprrty risks, railway-crossings, omnibuses, and highways.