ROAD DEATHS IN WAR-TIME
SIR,—By whatever standard the casualties of the public highways are viewed, the problem is an urgent one, and it is indeed unfortunate that the admirable report and recommendations presented by the Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Prevention of Road Accidents have, for the most part, been shelved.
Lord Airless, the able chairman of the Select Committee, who exercised such courtesy and patience with the hundreds of witnesses, representing all types of road users, and the authorities who deal with the incidence of road usage, is still actively connected with the road accident problem. Would it not be a reasonable thing to invite his Lordship to examine the recommendations of the Select Committee with the view to the presentation of a special war-time interim report on the steps which may well be taken immediately? A large number of the recommendations would not divert the national war effort to an appreciable extent, and would almost certainly create safer road conditions. As one of the witnesses who gave evidence before the Select Committee I have a vivid recollection of the obvious anxiety of the Select Committee to have a special care for the more vulnerable type of road users. It is not mere coincidence that the more vulnerable type of road users figure largely in the present-day casualty list. In making this suggestion I would empha- sise that the proposals contained in the Select Committee's Report are much too valuable to be allowed to lie in a pigeon-hole until the cessation of hostilities; whilst in the meantime men, women and children are being slaughtered and injured on our roads.—Yours
9 Southampton Place, Holborn, W.C. .r.
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