Commercial Drivers Are Safe T HE author of the paper, "
Page 53
Page 54
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Some Aspects of Road Safety from the Official Point of View," Major Cedric V. Godfrey, 0.B.E., is Chief Constable of Salford, which is a particularly busy traffic centre. He points out that local authorities are faced with a problem which presents difficulties necessitating detailed consideration before anything approaching a satisfactory solution can he reached.
The layout of the streets, their width, classes and density of traffic, prevalence of dangerous crossings and proximity of schools, are all factors contributing to accidents and the congestion of highways. By-passing would aid freer distribution of traffic and lessen danger to pedestrians within the towns. Even where streets are of adequate width, trams represent a grave handicap to large vehicles and an added source of danger to pedestrians.
The author is not one to say that the freer movement o traffic consequent upon the abandonment of trams will automatically increase accidents, but rather the reverse. Frequent hold-ups result in dangerous practices to compensate for delays.
Human Nature the Weak Link.
We may ask what factor is missing in our efforts, to bring about greater safety. Major Godfrey, after years of study, believes it to be human nature, i.e., the failure to react quickly and correctly at the critical moment. The art of safe driving often depends upon adequate use of the split second. For the greater part, accidents do not simply happen of their own volition, but result from the breakdown of some agency immediately prior to the climax; that agency is all too often of human, and not mechanical.
Not until every section of road user develops " trafficmindedness" will laws, police control, efforts by highways authorities, etc., have any, real chance of showing that accidents can be avoided or reduced. Co-operation and a keen perception of the rights and privileges of other road users are integral to success.
It is difficult for the police to teach pedestrians; their movements are not under statutory control. Many drivers are guilty of dangerous driving, but many more pedestrians of dangerous walking. It should be possible to take action against those who wantonly endanger the safety of themselves or others.
In 1928, the author established a traffic office, whieh deals only with accidents and traffic problems. Every accident is analysed, so that appropriate steps can be taken to minimise future risks. It was immediately apparent that the usefulness of all safety schemes was reduced by the failure of the human element. Consequently, he commenced at once to concentrate on school children, as being the most teachable section of the community.
. The results have justified this concentration. In 1931, 11 children were killed in the streets of Salford. Tow ards the end of 1936 the city achieved a period of slightly over a year without a child fatality.
Films Help in Safety Crusades.
Films have helped considerably. Regular lectures also are given by traffic officers. To permit safe playing, 180• streets are now closed to through traffic between sunrise and sunset. In Salford, some 3,000 school children are cyclists, but in 1936 only 14 were responsible for accidents when on their cycles. Yet 31 per cent, of the total accidents in the city last year were attributed to cyclists,
Investigations of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology are playing an increasingly important part in this crusade against accidents. An analysis of accidents in Salford last year attributed 31 per cent, to careless driving and thoughtless riding on the part of adults, selfish cutting-in caused 6 per cent., and skidding 15 per cent. Safety would be increased if the brain behind the wheel would appreciate the state of the road and drive accordingly.
Rear collisions accounted for 12 per cent. This is frequently through travelling too close to the vehicle in front. Pedestrians crossing heedlessly were responsible for 16 per cent, of mishaps. It would appear that drivers are expected to be supermen in their efforts to avoid accidents caused solely by careless pedestrians. Two years ago, in a paper, the Chief Constable of Southport, Major M. Egan, laid stress on the courteous and efficient driving of the commercial-vehicle man. This is a sentiment which the author heartily endorses. In 1935, despite an increase of 24 per cent, in the number of light commercial vehicles in Salford, accidents remained the same as in 1934. Many helpful suggestions, some already brought into operation, have been put forward by commercial drivers, There was an increase of 42.4 per cent, in commercial vehicles using the streets of Salford during 1936, compared with 1929. It is very evident that these vehicles are here to stay and must be catered for. The increase of accidents attributed to them in 1936 was only 1.7 per cent, over those in 1929. These figures should give commercial users no little satisfaction.