TOLL OF THE MOTOR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5261, 11 April 1928, Page 1

TOLL OF THE MOTOR.

MORE RIGID TESTS NEEDED. ■APPEAL TO COUNTY COUNCIL. The question of the licensing of drivers of motor vehicles was introduced ;at last Wednesday’s, meeting of tlie Ohihemuri. Couhty Council by the following circular received friom the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. K. S. Williams) “Although the statistics of the total deaths in New Zealand caused in 1927 by motor vehicle accidents are not yet available from the Government statistician it seiems clear to those who read the newspapers that the toll of the motor vehicle is increasing in this country, and assuming alarming proportions. It is hoped that thu recently is/sued regulations governing motor vehicle traffic will help to reduce the accidents. It is realised, however, that the mere issue of regulations will not effect a complete remedy, and I am relying on the co-operation of all local authorities in the aim to reduce to the minimum this maiming of bodies ‘and wastage of valuable lives Which is recorded in each day’s news. “It has been represented from time to time that some local authorities are not so thorough as others in the driving tests to which a wouldbe driver should be subjected on his first application for a license. In fact, it has been alleged that certain local authorities do not require, a practical test even for a new drivr, and that there are cases where a man has been refused a license by one local authority and has presented himself to another and obtained his license without a test. Absolute uniformity is, I realise, unobtainable, but if the following points are noted by licensing authorities and the suggestions made/ are followed, grteat improvement would be made. I therefore, earnestly request all local authorities to take this attitude concerning. every person seeking a motor driver’s license for any year:

“ (1) That unless you are satisfied that the, applicant already holds a driver’s license, a new license never be .issued to any person without a practical test fairly senrere ip nature with a.view to ascertaining the suitability of the applicant to drivq a motor vehicle in the busiest streets of our cities or on the most difficult hilly counry roads/ It must be remembered that a driver’s license issued anywlierei authorises the owner to traverse any roadfe in the Dominion.

“ (2) That a license newer be issued by you to any person Who is the owner of a car not garaged in. your district or who does not own a cajand is not a resident of your district. “ (3) That every applicant for a, driver’s license be interrogated with a view to ascertaining whether he is reasonably conversant with those of tlie motor vehicle regulations, 1928. “The good government of the Dominion depends largely on the cooperation of local authorities with the Government, and it is hoped! that in the matter of motor accidents an improvement may be madet in this way to the existing state of affairs. “ Any suggestions forwarded to me with a view to minimising these, conditions will receive the fullest consideration.” . DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL. The discussion was set ip motion by the chairman (Mr H. M. Corbett), who said that so far as he could judge the chief trouble about issuing licenses was, that people went outside their own district and bought thejr licenses. That fact was noticeable last year, and he was ®.orry to say that a similar position obtained this year. So long as local bodies issued

licenses to any person who applied there was bound to be trouble. He considered that some form of testsheet should be prepared and applicants made to satisfy the testing officer. It was wrong to issue licenses indiscriminately.

In. to Or. R. R.‘ Morrison the chairman said that a motor vehicle could not be registered in the names of several members of any one family. Cr. W. F. Johnstone said it was difficult to judge when a bone fide owner and a qualified man applied l . A nonresident should not be supplied with a license, but should be directed' to apply to his own local body.

Tn reply to Cr. C. E. Mace the chairman said that in his opinion the test carried out by the county engineer or Cr. Johnstone when new drivers applied for licenses wau thorough, and efficient.

Cr. C. Hands thought that a lot of motor accidents were due to faulty brakes, and he considered that special attention .should be given to that aspect by testing and examining officers.

•Cr. Mason, considered that it wa>s the experienced driver who caused accidents mostly. From his. observations a new driver was cautious and did not take the risks that more experienced drivers did. Cr. A. R. Robinson shared this-view, and said 'he was firmly of the opinion that familiarity bred contempt, and old drivers were generally the cause of accidents. The experienced driver relied too much on 'hiis car and his own ability. The chairman also thought that the experienced drivers wore the greatest offenders, and he agreed that the issue of licenS.es should be tightened up. Cr. Johnstone eulogised the capabilities of the bus drivers on the WaihiPaeroa bus service, who, he said, were careful and competent. ' Several other members shared this

view. It was finally decided to support the circular.