The Hutt News THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 50, 22 May 1930, Page 7

The Hutt News THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE.

It is safe to assert that there is j at the present time no topic that I has aroused more public interest, ! -and upon which more general discussion has taken place recently than tliat of the dangers of the high road caused by motor traffic. And certainly it is not without cause that this great public interest has been displayed, and it would appear that among all -classes, of the community, there is a unanimous feelitig that "something must be done about- it." But what that "something" is to he. seems to be a matter upon which opinions are in conflict, and' the result has so far been that has been done:"' "There is undoubtedly a Jarge section of the motoring public with whose conduct practically no fault can be found; but on the other hand it is an ascertained : fact that amongst the ranks of the licensed -.-• driver^ are many who daily, prove by their conduct that they are • utterly uiifit to hold a license to drive a motor (or any other1) vehicle. The law, as at present •observed, appears to be inadequate to deal with the matter. The conditions which obtained when the present laws and regulations were framed have so materially altered as to demand amendment being made. It is obvious that the-public will not stand for the continuance of the existing state of things and earnest consideration should at once be given to the matter of finding an effiicatious remedy. The question of licensing appears to us to be one that urgently calls for attention. The method at present in force, although it might have been adequate when the law was framed is now hopelessly out of date. Any efficient and careful motorist will state that his greatest danger is, from those drivers who constantly show their absolute unfitness to have had a license granted to them, and it is high time that an alteration was made. We suggest that the law be so amended as to provide far greater care being1 taken than is the case at present as to the qualifications of those to whom licenses are issued, and, even more important, that the form oi license be so amended as to provide that on making his appearance in Court to answer any. •charge, the motorist should b# compelled to produce his license, and on conviction the Magistrate should "be obliged to endorse thereon the charge and penalty indicted. Such a record would be of material assistance in determining whether or not a renewal of such license should be granted. 4# present it appears that any motorist, however careless or reckless whose license has not actually been suspended by the. Magistrate, ip entitled to a renewal of license. annually, and there is. no record, •on his license, showing tha,tjdu-rpi'g; the year he has behaved in a inan-. jier so as to endanger '■• public safety. The law should be so amended as to oblige -applicants for a renewal of, liceiice to show ■ by their previous 'records theirfit- ' ness to ree'eive a renewal. Then, s\ nd a more difficult problem on account of finance, here arises, there is the question of detecting offend--ers against the traffic laws. At tl'.e-present time ' the very large percentage of those appearing in our courts are charged with such rumor offences as breaches of no <;.oubt excellent and useful by-laws as to parking, one way traffic, and matters which do not. directly affect the safety of human life. For such offences the existing .traffic staffs may be and probably / are efficient, but for the purpose j of detecting and securing convictions against those whose driving is a menace to public safety, nothing1 but a thoroughly efficient staff of mobile traffic officers will suffice. Locally we have an excelfcleni example of the use and effiBfeiency of a mobile traffic officer Win the motor-cycle constable who Tffc,as: for some time been in charge

of the Hutt Road, and were the services of a flying squad of such oiiic-ers enlisted, more especially ■\t busy times and special occasions such as race days, there would be little difficulty in securing convictions against those v hose offences are really a menace to life and property. And with drastic provisions in an amended law providing for the infljetion of penalties that would really serve as a deterrent it should not be difficult to effect a . material amendment to the deplorable state of things at present obtaining. So Jtar as we can see there is no valid objection which can be raised against the proposal to have endorsements made on the motorist's license showing the nature and date of a conviction for any serious breach of the law. Law-abiding motorists will not certainly object, for they will not be endangered, and they will * gladly welcome any action, which .will in any way tend to cHeck.the reckless driver and road hog, dangerous "cutter in," from whose actions they are at present frequent. and serious sufferers. The pedestrian will certainly welcome anything that will make for Jany increase in his present somewhat (ioiibtful safety. Even if it involves amended legislation, and a certain increase in expenditure on inspectional staff, it is quite; obvious that something must be done, and idone withoi^t delay. Amend the licensing system, compulsory endorsement of convictions upon licenses to assist licensing officers as to renewals, the detection and conviction of serious offenders, and the infliction of really deterrent sentences should v be the slogan of those, desirous of an improvement in motor traffic.