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Road Problems Discussed at The National Safety Congress

22nd May 1936, Page 45
22nd May 1936
Page 45
Page 45, 22nd May 1936 — Road Problems Discussed at The National Safety Congress
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Keywords : Disaster / Accident

A Number of Interesting Papers Presented to the National Safety Congress is Briefly Reviewed

T"programme for the National Safety Congress, which began at the Park Lane Hotel, London, W.1, on Wednesday, and closes this evening (Friday). opened with a reception of the delegates by the President, Mr. Gordon Stewart, and was followed by an address by Sir Malcolm Campbell, M.B.E. Yesterday morning the presentation of gallantry awards was made by Mr, L Hore-Belisha, the Minister of Transport.

There followed a discussion on a memorandum prepared by the Association on "Some Accident Problems and Paradoxes." The memorandum raises a number of interesting points, and it is suggested that some basis upon which the incidence of accidents can be scientifically measured and compared with other countries is an urgent necessity.

Questions as to the effect of legislation on road acci dents are put forward. Whilst pessimists prophesied a vast increase in fatalities as a result of the removal of the speed limit, there followed, by way of a paradox, a decrease of &per cent, in fatalities.

Impossible to Stem the Tide of Speed.

There has been a slowly moving line between speeds dictated by lo.gic, and speeds to which the public can be forced to conform. However much the modern Canutes may try to stem the tide of speed will they not have to realize that, so far, laws have failed to make people either sober or slow.

On the subject of lighting, the Association asks if the dangers caused by bad lighting are sufficiently realized. Does it not call for national treatment?

A private motorist, it is said, can be prosecuted for over 100 offences under the Road Traffic Acts, but, on the other hand, the pedestrian can be prosecuted only for loitering on a pedestriaia crossing. Whatever may he the shortcomings of drivers at such crossings it is felt that pedestrians are not playing their full part in this matter.

A large number of other problems and paradoxes are quoted in the report and the question is mooted as to how intolerance between one type of road user and another may be checked, Every effort must be made to instil the spirit of road fellowship into the younger generation.

Speakers who took part in the discussion included Mr. A. P. Herbert, M.P., Colonel Mervyn O'Gorman, C.B., Miss C. Haslett, C.B.E., Mr. H. Alker Tripp, C.B., C.B.E., Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, and Mr. A. T. U. Robinson, C.B.E., Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Transport.

On Thursday, afternoon the Congress was addressed bY the Rt. Hon. Oliver F.. G.. Stanley, . M.C., M.p., President Of, the Board of Education, and there followed a short teepee cii"The Use of Gruesome and fltirmirous Propaganda for Accident Prevention," by Mr. C. S. Myers, C.B.E., M.D., Sc.D., F.R.S.

On Thursday evening the Congress dinner was held, at which the Home Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Simon, G.C.S:I., K.C.V.O., ODE., N.C., M.P., and Mr. Gordon Stewart were due to speak.

Following the annual general meeting, arranged for this morning, Sir Charles H. :Bressey, C.B., C.B.E., reads a paper on the subject of "Highway Development in Relation to Safety." In the paper it is suggested that, although the fact may not be clearly displayed by accident statistics, it is generally 'agreed that among the contributory causes of accidents a prominent place must he assigned to the hurnaa failings of impatience, hesitation and indecision. These failings may well be aroused or aggravated by defects in road design and layout. .

Dual Carriageways Make for Safety.

Whilst favouring dual carriageways with a central reserve, it is pointed out that lack of consistency and continuity in the layout of a thoroughfare is a possible source of perellexity and danger. The adoption by contiguous highway authorities of a standard and uniform layout for routes traversing several administrative areas would conduce to public safety and convenience. Applying the word " layout " in its widest sense, it will have to be considered whether, in future, the interests of safety and convenience could not better be served by constructing new routes parallel to existing highways.

The question of segregating traffic streams by relegating them -to different levels is discussed. It is also suggested that the time is arriving when it may be necessary to construct lengthy viaducts from the centres of large cities.

This afternoon an address by Captain A. U. M. Hudson,• M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the-Ministry of Transport, will be followed by a paper by Mr. A. Matheson, D.S.O., 0.B.E., Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, dealing with investigations that have been made of danger spits, and methods that have been adcipted to effect an improvement. • This, evening a discussion is to be held ,on how to give practical. effect to the .recommendations, of the, InterDepartmental .,Committ*.eOpe i!cad safety . arnenge school

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