“BLIND SPOT” DRIVING

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 288, 3 September 1942, Page 4

“BLIND SPOT” DRIVING

Tram Motormen Complain Of Car Lights NEW REGULATIONS URGED Dissatisfaction with the conditions under which tram drivers and conductors are operating in Wellington was expressed at a meeting of tramway workers yesterday morning. The chief cause of complaint was the glaring headlamps on motor-vehicles which resulted in “blind spot” driving for tram motormen, and representations are to be made urging the Government to introduce regulations making cowls compulsory for all headlamps. The partial restoration of street lights had improved night driving conditions, but a great strain was still imposed on drivers by the lights of' approaching cars, said the national secretary of the Tramway Employees’ Union, Mr. I. A. Hansen, after the meeting. He understood that regulations were being prepared to have all ears fitted with cowls to direct the headlight beam down on to the road and thus prevent blind driving which now occurred every .time a tram and a car met. The cowling could also be fitted with a shield for use during a blackout. As the time necessary to manufacture the cowls in New Zealand would delay the enforcement of the regulations, tram employees considered that the regulations should be introduced immediately. “Drivers and conductors are already working long hours, many of them doing 54, and even more hours a week, and being on duty 25 days out of 28, so that the strain is considerable without it beino" increased by other factors, ’ Mr. Hansen added. Passenger traffic was heavier than during the period of the exhibition, when a record was established. Temporary Employment.

Conditions of temporary employment were also discussed by the meeting and dissatisfaction expressed at the refusal of the Wellington City Council to place on the permanent staff those employed since May, 1939. Under present conditions these workers were not covered by the essential industries regulations ..and were able to leave to take other employment. The union did not consider that these men should be bound to the job while still members of the temporary staff, but considered that at the end of the war there would be sufficient positions for all these workers, together with those now in the armed forces, without any extension of the present tram service. Even after the employment of 50 women, the service was operating with 150 to 160 workers below strength, said Mr. Hansen. One cause of strong objection by the tram. employees was the fact that many of the positions filled by temporary workers since the outbreak of war were caused by normal retirements and not by service with the forces.