TRAFFIC REGULATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 217, 7 June 1919, Page 6

TRAFFIC REGULATION

The City Council is at last showing some disposition, to approach the question of dealing with street traffic; and certainly not before the time is ripo for action. Existing traffic conditions in the city streets, particularly those occasioned by the, reckless driving of motor-cars and motor-cycles, constitute a standing menace to life and limb, and undoubtedly there will be an increasing crop of fatal and other accidents unless drastic reforms are introduced; A number of ideas put iorwarcHjy the city motor inspector (Mn. L. S;'Drake) arid outlined in a news article which appeared in our columns'on Thursday seem to be on right lines. It is quite nvi? dent that a, first essential to really effective traffic control is full', and complete co-ordination of effort in the matter, by the city authorities and the Police Department. "While there is no doubt ample scope in regard .to the registration - of motor vehicles and in other directions, the best and most practical suggestion put forward by Mn. Drakk is that every police constable should' be a traffic, inspector, and take action where l , there is legitimate cause to do so. The arrangement in force locally, under' which only three police, pointsmen are employed in traffic regulation, is quite behind the times. In'the case of centrfes like Wellington the assumption of traffic duties j by'all members of the Police Force would no doubt necessitate the appointment of additional constables. [The outlay involved, which would be a matter for arrangement between the municipality and the Government) is a minor consideration when set against the additional safety and security which would be afforded to. street passengers.' While the City Council ,ir. quite justified in employing a staff of qualified experts.-'to deal with the. problem of traflic regulation, it certainly would not be justified in employing a- numerous staff of traffic inspectors when the police arc, or may be, made, available for the work. Such a policy would be hopelessly inconsistent with either economy or efficiency. The license now afforded to vehicular and particularly to fast motor traflic, is scandalous, and creates ever-present, dangers which ought to be as nearly as possible eliminated. On such occasions, for instance, as the football raaitch at •Athletic Park on Tuesday last-the rush of motor-cycles and motor-cars after the close of the game displayed a disregard for the public safety that would not be tolerated in any well-governed city." Prompt action is needed, but, no remedy will be found in tinkering half-measures'. If "traffic .regulation is to be effective it must be organised on thoroughly comprejiensm .-lines, and this of necessity implies the fullest co-oper-j ation on the. part of - the police. Motorists who take a reasonable attitude will be quite as ready as any' other class to accept conditions' in which city traffic would bo regulated j : in an orderly way. and. restricted to safe speeds. In .any case, if they attempt to resist reform on these '.lines, they-will only injure their own [■interests. Unless motor traffic is conducted- in the busier city streets under far better conditions that at present the natural outcome will be a strong public agitation in favour of'totally excluding it from such streets.