Accident-prevention Proposals
Page 41
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THEAutomobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club have recently prepared memoranda dealing with the subject of road accidents, whieh have been submitted to the Minister of Transport. The Automobile Association points eut that there is no foundation in the oft-repeated suggestion that the increase in road accidents is substantially due to the careless or dangerous driving ot motor vehicles. Road accidents have increased through. a variety of causes, and every class of road user bears a proportionate responsibility for the casualties in which motor vehicles
are involved.
In the opinion. of the Association, what is needed to-day is the education of every Member of the public in the necessity of contributing towards road safety. . It is submitted that this matter ofeducative propaganda in
'elation to all classes of road user should be carried out under the aegis of Government Departments directly concerned with the reduction of road accidents, in collaboration with the National "Safety First" Association.
The A.A. suggestions include the dissemination of propaganda by the use of the Press, kinemas, schools. churches and radio, in addition to a wide poster campaign. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the Highway Code should be simplified and made available to the public, free of charge.
The Association stresses the fact that the curtailment of road development along progressive lines has had a material bearing on the question of road accidents, and it is emphasized that a national programme of road construction, improvement and maintenance is imperative. In this connection, attention is directed to the
provision of continuous non-skid road surfaces, the elimination of railway level crossings on all important main roads, the provision of adequate footpaths, special crossing places and subways for pedestrians, a much higher stand.Fd of street lighting, and lighter coloured roads.
The Royal Automobile Club submits, as a cardinal principle, that pedestrians, equally with other road users, must conform to regulations. It considers, too, that the law should be enforced and severer penalties imposed for careless and dangerous driving.
Regarding the question of slippery surfaces, the R.A.C. considers that authorities should treat this matter generally as one of urgency, and adds that investigation should be carried out with a view to lightening the colour of existing surfaces. Staggered crossings are strongly recommended where practicable. More attention should be paid by road authorities to the improvement and standardization of systems of lighting. •