TRAFFIC COURSES FOR MOTORISTS?

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 10

TRAFFIC COURSES FOR MOTORISTS?

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 27. Whether a scheme of traffic instructional courses for drivers should be introduced in New Zealand will be considered by the Road Safety Council at its half-yearly meeting. The motor drivers’ sub-committee of the council has received a report on the matter from the Commissioner of Transport (Mr A. E. Forsyth). Releasing the report today, the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr T. R. McCleary, said the council would consider the desirability of traffic improvement schools conducted either by the Transport Department or city traffic authorities, and whether the Courts should be empowered to direct traffic offenders to such courses where appropriate. Weekly classes were already being conducted by the Auckland City Council traffic department, the commissioner’s report said. Invitations were sent to licenceholders selected at random. The classes were on an entirely voluntary basis. There was no direction from Courts or otherwise to traffic offenders to attend. Classes conducted by the Transport Department during the Palmerston North “safety city” campaign had attracted a good response from the driving public. These classes consisted of three sessions of about two hours each. It was felt that a longer series of lectures would not appeal to many on a voluntary basis. The report said that it

would probably not be practicable to operate separate courses for traffic offenders, and at a general course the offender would not be identifiable from the volunteer attender.

“In the United States, traffic improvement schools are conducted in more than 200 cities, most of them having been initiated by the Courts, which may direct violators to attend instructional courses instead of, or in addition to, Imposing a penalty,” the report said. “The schools are-operated usually by the traffic police, who met most of the expense, and- provide equipment and instructors, but in some cases financial help ‘is given by insurance companies or safety councils,” it said. “Usually, the same courses are attended by volunteers, and violators sent by the' Coftrts, and volunteer attendance is said to exceed expectations. Courses yary, but the American Aiitorhpbile Association recommends eight one-hour weekly sessions. “The classes cover,a description of the traffic accident problem, causes of accidents, traffic laws, enforcement, and the question of driver attitude. “Most traffic authorities in the United States'agree that traffic schools are one of the most important factors in any accident-preventiqn campaign. and that few persons are directed to the schools for a second time,” the report said.