Safety Delegates Approve Black Mark System for Drivers
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DELEGATES to the National Safety Congress of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in London , last week debated eight controversial subjects before representatives of the Ministry of Transport Committee on Road Safety. Seven of the resolutions before the forum were carried.
Unquestionably, the proposal which created the liveliest discussion—it was finally carried by 220 votes to 219—was that the Ministry should consider a driver's demerit points system, similar to that operating in Ontario, Canada. It was suggested that a driver who had acquired 12 "black marks" in a twoyear period should lose his licence.
The penalty for road offences would be graded according to the seriousness of the transgression, and when a motorist had accumulated nine marks, he would be cautioned by the police.
Against the proposal, it was said that the system might be contrary to the British spirit of justice, that there was already adequate legislation to deal with all motoring offences, and that the
British problem, with a large population and 130 separate police forces, Was different from that of Ontario.
More general agreement greeted a resolution calling on the Ministry and the police to give greater regard to the increased safety of the public and less to the slowing down of traffic, when considering the proposals put forward by local authorities.
Delegates pointed out that local authorities were very well aware of what was required in. their own. districts and that schemes of .great urgency met with but a tardy reception from the Ministry. There was a feeling of frustration• amongst councillors when efforts to segregate traffic from pedestrians met with such cool response.
. Opposers of the resolution pointed out that the implications were unfortunate. Authorities concerned were not blind to the differing claims of all road users. Measures which improved traffic flow, in fact, contributed to road safety at the same time.