TRAINING OF DRIVERS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1926, Page 7

TRAINING OF DRIVERS

STATE SCHOOLS PROPOSED. Dunedin, Nov. 13. A new scheme in connection with motor traffic and public safety is suggested by Mr. S. B. MacDonald, president of the Otago Expansion League. “The other schemes,” he said, “start at the wrong end. Driving licences are far too easy to get. No motor vendor should be allowed to sell a car to a motorist who has not a Competency certificate. These competency certificates would be obtainable only from Government training schools, which would be. established in central districts. TTie schools would be self-supporting. Motor car manufacturers would be only too pleased to supply ears for training of potential motorists, as, when a motorist bad learned to drive one make of car, tile inference would be that he would purchase that make. “A fee of, say, £5 ss, would be charged. This fee might seem high, but I maintain that if a business firm uses a car for business, then that firm should be prepared to pay the fee to get a competent. driver and for the knowledge -that accident risk would be much lighter. If a motorist drives his car for pleasure then he should be prepared to pay for his pleasure. “I think that at least three months would be necessary to make competent drive,rs at these Government schools. They would be taugj't the by-laws and the rules of the road, given lessons on acting in emergencies, and instructed in the simplier automobile mechanics. Attendance for new drivers at these schools would be compulsory, but everyone at present driving a motor vehicle would have to pass rigid tests, and if he was found not competent, he would have to go to the Government school, which would be arranged so that it vould not interfere with business.”