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Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1930, Page 4

It i/s perhaps not surprising with the numerous motoring accidents being chronicled from time to time, that the’ authorities propose to stiffen u,p the te<st.s for motorists applying for drivers’ licenses. 'Jdie toll of the motor has been severe, and the effort now is in the direction of endeavouring to see more caution exercised in the issue of licenses. Of the accidents reported, most of them appear to be due to speeding. Drivers after attaining a certain degree of proficiency desire to go faster and faster, and tliip speed mania eventuallv leads to disaster. It is not possible in any examination test set for a motor driving license, to control this disposition, for it develops later with practice and confidence. There should, therefore, be more check on speeding for many rash motorists imperil not only their own safety but also that of the general road u,ser, in their wilcl caieering. The proposed tightening up of the test for divers' licenses, has the advantage of setting a uniform system or course for examination. When the new regulations come into force, new drivers w’ll have to submit to a test which should ensure better control of their machines in emergency, and possess the alertness to have their vehicles ‘under emergency control. The rule of the road requires to be more strictly enforced, and all precautions at intersections and corners carefully observed. ..This care exercised, and there would be far top liability to accident. It is certain that under the new regulations there will be stricter control oif drivers ply i no for hire, and generally in the use of commercial vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles. The age limit is to be advanced for such drivers, and there should be special precautions taken to prevent this class of traffic adopting speeding tactics as is done often on special occasions when rushing for holiday traffic. To ensure greater safety with motoring, there should lie more stringent traffic control, particularly in seeing that the ordinary rules and courtesies of the mad are observed, and specially that speeding is put down. Tins apple* particularly to those localities where roads are narrow and traffic is met in unexpected places. The safeguarding of human life demands stringent enforcement of the conditions 6° v " eniing motor traffic, It traffic growing more and more, and increasing in volume-as it is, there is all the more need for the exercise of the control which will make for the greater /safety and security of traffic goneraily.