SAFETY ON ROADS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 189, 27 August 1937, Page 6

SAFETY ON ROADS

Press Assn.-

Motorists Favour Control by National Council • . PEDESTRIANS & CYCUSTS

fBy Telegraph—

-Copvrieht.)

WANGANUI, Last Night. Tbe . question of wbetber tbe National Boad Safety Council sbould act in - an advisory capacity or be vested witb executive power was debated at lengtb by delegates at tbe annual conference in Wanganui to-day of tbe Nortb Island (N.Z.) Motor Union. Tbe subjeet was intioduced by tbe Commissioner of Transport, Mr. G. A. Laurenson, wbo outlined, .tbe departoient 's proposals in connection witb a cainpaign for road • safety tbrougbout t be Dominion. Tbe debate occupied practically the wbole of tbe morning, and on a motion by Mr. E. Palliser, Wellington, seconded by Mr. K, W. Eoydbouse, Wairarapa, tbe conference decided tbat tbe council should act in an executive capacity. A committee comprising the presidents and secretaries of affiliated associations in tbe Nortb Island, togetber witb delegates from tbe' South Island, will consider tbe matter furtber and submit a report to tbe executive before any proposals are placed before the Minister of Transport, Hon. B. Semple. Mr. J. H. Edmundson, Hawke's Bay, said tbe automobno associations would be able to render a greater degree of road safety by baving direct representations on tbe . Highway s Council. Tbese delegates should have. a say, for instance, in the * construction of bigbways. "Tbe temptation for inany a motorist to cut corners is forced upon bim by the poor construction of tbe roads," be added. ' ■ " Tbe . disappointment of tbe union bas already been voiced concerning tbe withdrawal of tbe provision for tbe registering of cyeles from tbe Motor Vebicles Amendment Act last year,"says tbe annual report of the union. ' ' Anotber unsatisf actory feature of our traiiic control enaefemefits is tbe incomplete deiinition of tbe obligations of pedestrians- on bigbways. Iioad accident statistics sbow tbat tbese two classes of • road users are concerned in accidents to - a greater extent than otbers. Tbe control of cyclists and pedestrians on roads is regarded as being so. important as to warrant tbe urgent attention of tbe traflic control authorities. It is hoped, tberefore, tbat these matters will soon be subjeet to legislative . enactment. "