TOLL OF THE ROAD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 157, 21 July 1937, Page 5

TOLL OF THE ROAD

—Ftess Associatioti.)

Success of N.Z. Safety Campaign LICENSING OF CYCLISTS

(By Telegraph

WELLINGTON, This Day.

The need for public interest and 00operation for the preveution of roaid accidents was stressed by the actingMinister of Transport, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, at a meeting of the New Zealand Road Safety Cotmeil to-day. Fullest appreciation of the problems facing the council and the active interest and help of all members of the public was eminently desirable and, personhlly, he considered that such eo* operation was necessary, Since the Road Safety Campaigxi opened in September 1936 to June 1937, the death-rate had deci'eaeed by 20 -per cent., although an increase in motor traflfic of 14 per cent. was estimated. Expressed in another way that meant that 40 lives had been s&Ved. A report presented by the Commissioner of Transport to the meeting showed that statistics eollected since March 15 indieated that eertain districts had more accidents than others and local bodies had been asked to in-' vestigate the causes. They also indieated that eertain drivers were accident* prone. The council agreed that pedal cycles should be licensed for identification purposes but not for revenue production and a tecommendation to this effeet was carried. A test for drivers over a eertain age was also reeommended, bnt the age was uot stated. A suggestion that the penalty for intoxicataon while in charge of a car should be' doubled was rejeeted. Members of the council expressed the opinion that the present penalty provided sufficient seope and should be given more time to show results.