ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 22452, 24 September 1936, Page 18

ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL

INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES APPOINTED (Per united Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 23. Tho New Zealand Road Safety Council appointed by tho Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple) held its inaugural mcetjng to-day. Mr Semple said that the policing of the roads in some cases was nothing more nor less than a joke. He proposed to take over all boroughs with populations under 6,000. The department would take all license fees_ and fines, and put them towards policing the roads, Tho system of transport had got out of control. There were lorries and cars which had bad brakes, bad lights, and worn-out equipment on tho road. That could be remedied, and ho hoped the council would bo a happy family while it worked at the task. Mr F. C. Spratt said they should keep up the pressure so that the improvement already shown would continue. What they wanted was willing acceptance; of the regulations, and education was necessary to achieve that. It was not possible for persons to drive when they were physically and mentally unfit, or recovering from a serious illness. Such persons were a menace to other drivers on the road. He believed that the sounding of horns led to accidents by confusing pedestrians. Cars on the read were no longer unexpected things, as they were when a motor horn was necessary. The council went into committee to discuss details and prepare proposals for submission to the Minister. PERSONNEL OF COMMITTEES. The personnel of the seven committees which were set up to-day to undertake a detailed investigation for the New Zealand Road Safety Council was announced this evening by the Minister of Transport, Mr Semple. The committees, which are composed of members of council, are as follow: — Child Education and Propaganda.— Dr J. W. MTlwraith and Mr G. R. Ashbridge. Adult Education and Propaganda.— —Messrs W. A. O’Callaghan, J. S. Hawkes, F. C. Spratt, M. F. Luckie, and J. F. Cousins. Traffic Laws.—Messrs J. Woods (chief engineer, Public Works Department), C. J. Talbot, M. F. Luckie, G. Laurenson, and a representative of the motor unions. Motor Accident Statistics. —Messrs J. H. .Terrain, J. F. Cousins, and Dr MTlwraith. Lighting (Cars and Roads). —Messrs Laurenson, Luckie, A. Main, C. J. Ralph, and A. W. Keys. Intoxication.—The council. Improvement of Road Conditions.— Messrs Wood, Talbot, O’Callaghan, Jerram, and Laurenson. Mr Semple spoke enthusiastically of the work already accomplished by the council, which had held its first meeting to-day. He said he was satisfied tli at the council would do the big job allotted to it successfully.