Safety First
The Minister of Transport did not exaggerate when he announced on Tuesday during the debate on road safety that the time has come for a revolutionary approach. During the first six months of this year there were eight thousand more casualties on the roads than during the same period of 1952. This tale of death and injury is monstrous, like the near Paralysis which has afflicted Governments in dealing, with it, and a revolutionary approach is just what is needed. But there is a conservative air about Mr. Lennox-Boyd's revolution, Which amounts to little more than the possibility that pedes- trians may be compelled to use zebra crossings. Why should he be so apologetic when he comes to consider a sensible step towards an arrangement which works well in other countries ? , Similarly it is with the greatest reluctance that he is considering Whether it should be made compulsory for motor-cyclists to Wear crash helmets. Why such reluctance.? This is not in any but the shallowest sense a question of the individual's fr.eedom. The only liberty at stake is the liberty of the indi- vidual to kill himself and others. It is also sensible that bicyclists are to be compelled to have two brakes on their Machines. This is a field in which the State can interfere with- out apology. But motorists as well as pedestrians and cyclists Should have their share of compulsion in the interests of all. Too many vehicles in use are not roadworthy, and too many motorists are in no physical condition to be at large on the roads at all. Mr. Lennox-Boyd said that the system of "spot Scrutiny " of vehicles by the police should be extended. It ,a pity that there is no similar system for the scrutiny of anvers. There is unfortunately no means of preventing motorists from having tbo much to drink and then driving off to the public danger. But if the stiff penalties available . Were more consistently imposed, it would be a strong deterrent.
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