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A Birmingham Memorandum on Road Accidents

6th April 1945, Page 21
6th April 1945
Page 21
Page 21, 6th April 1945 — A Birmingham Memorandum on Road Accidents
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A MEMORANDUM ta the Minister of War Transport and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents upon steps to be 'taken to secure a reduction in road accidents has been submitted by the •Birmingham Council for the Prevention of Accidents. We can deal only briefly with certain points raised in this.

Concerning road fatalities in Birmingham which were the subject of inquests from January, 1943, to October, 1944, 210 inquests were held; 193 were in respect of the deaths of pedestrians or cyclists knocked down by motor vehicles. Of these 81 per cent, were pedestrians (60 per cent. adults and 21 per cent, children), the percentage of pedestrians killed in relation to the total of 210 being 75.

Of the 193 drivers of motor vehicles involved, the manner of driving in 17' instances called for criticism, prosecutions being made for manslaughter, dangerous or careless driving, equivalent to under 10 per cent. The action of pedestrians was, therefore, a contributory cause to 90 per cent, of the fatalities in which they were involved, so that it is to this group of road users that strenuous efforts must be directed if fatalities are to be materially reduced. '

Frequently, the manner in which fatalities, are reported to the public gives the impression that the driver of the vehicle is solely to blame. In every fatal case the conduc,t of the driver is reviewed by the coroner, and if he be in any way to blame the case is referred to the Chief Constable, and thence to the magistrates. In addition, the police review each case independently. Despite this careful scrutiny, in under one i,t1 10 cases is the driver prosecuted.

The council notes with regret that the observance of pedestrian crossings has now almost ceased. It also deplores the road behaviour of the average adult —seldom can he or she be congratulated on setting a good example to children As regards recommendations, there should be an intensification of teaching of kerb drill to children. Instruction in school to children regarding the good road behavibur of both pedestrian and driver should be encouraged; advice on cycling should be given more prominence.

In passenger transport, not an conductors are sufficiently cateful in respect of passengers safely boarding andjor alighting from vehicles, Concerning roads, pedestrian crossings should be of a distinctive colour (white or yellow). Central refuges should be provided at every pedestrian .crossing unless physically impracticable.

Points concerning safety in vehicle manufacture should be thoroughly explored with the S.M.M.T. These should deal with vision, tendency to skid, doors and door handles, etc.

More Press publicity is desirable. This should be supplemented by contributions from the B.B.C., the cinemas and theatres, and loud-speaker vans at congested points; an abridged Highway Code should be distributed to the millions of cyclists.

The police should be given the power to prosecute pedestrians abusing the use of controlled pedestrian crossings— in fact, all classes of road user whose actions contribute to accidents.

The tests of new drivers should be at .least brought up to the standard of those on p.s.. vehicles and heavy commercial models.


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