SCHOOL FOR DRIVERS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 15

SCHOOL FOR DRIVERS

JERSEY CITY ENDEAVOUR

REDUCTION OF ACCIDENTS

With more than 16,000 of Jersey City's 43,000 -licensed automobile drivers enrolled, the traffic school .recently opened by the Police Department is a distinct success, Inspector Hairy Walsh, tho supervising director, veported a few weeks ago. .

The 16;000 attended the first of a series of eight lectures, which are given biweekly. A statistical background was presented, speakers explaining that the number of fatalities resulting frojin accidents had increased. The pupils were impressed with one repeatedly emphasised point—that about 90 per cent, of automobile accidents are'the result of human and not mechanical : lapses or deficiencies. ' ■' --■.-.-..

, The remaining lectures, which were to be illustrated with motion pictures and lantern slides, would be concerned with courtesy, safe driving, ; laws, and ordinances.

All the students were given enrolment cards on which attendance records were to be stamped. The, cards may be presented as evidence of approved training in tho event jot the, holder being involved in an accident. Courts also, it was said; will consider possession of the cards as significant in. : considering disputes. ' A special afternoon session for high Behool children, among whom there are between 5000 and 6000 licensed or prospective drivers, was "being arranged.•., The school was.organised..as the result of a suggestion by .the Mayor "(Mr. Frank Hague), who, as a constant visitor to the1 Jersey City Medical Centre, was appalled1 by the alarming number of accident victims he saw in the wards. '• , " '-'■. - • ' ,