Transport and Civilization
Twhat extent transport is the life-blood of twentieth- -1- century civilization has even yet not been fully realized. There has, however, for some years been a growing outcry against the legal obstacles that have hitherto made it impossible to relieve the congestion of the arteries. The enormous growth of motor traffic is the patent cause of the present dissatisfaction.
The late Government appointed a Royal Commission on Transport whose main purpose was to be the modernization of the law of the road. It has already published two interim reports. Mr. Herbert Morrison, the new Minister of Transport, is to be congratulated, however, on proceeding at once with a Bill embodying its main recommendations without waiting for a third report. The second reading of the Bill will be taken in the House of Lords on Thursday, December 5th, and since this cannot by any stretch of imagination be described as a party question we may hope that the Bill will become law early in the new year.
The Bill itself, though incomplete on some points, seems to meet the essential needs of the moment. There appears to be general satisfaction with that part of the Bill which deals with the speed limit. For ordinary motor-car traffic the speed limit is to be abolished. We have at last a recognition of the fact that the safe speed is a relative matter dependent on the individual driver. At the same time the size of the vehicle is an important factor, and we are glad to note that it is on this point, rather than that of weight, that the Bill discriminates. The speed of motor-coaches and omnibuses, i.e., heavy vehicles with pneumatic tyres, is to be limited to thirty miles an hour, and that of heavy goods vehicles to twenty. The framers of the Bill have also recognized the employers' responsibility for the speed of heavy motor traffic, and taken steps to prevent accidents arising from undue fatigue, by restricting the hours of duty of the drivers of these vehicles. The same distinction has again been recognized in the regulations for drivers' licences, the minimum age being twenty-one for heavy vehicles and seventeen for others. We feel that this is a most valuable distinction, and that pains should be taken to preserve it, even if other points in the Bill have to be dropped.
The Bill introduces an interesting new feature in the matter of licensing. The applicant for a driving licence will be required to make a declaration of physical fitness. There are to be no tests, but certain physical disabilities will automatically disqualify. Heavy penalties are provided in the case of a false declaration and the penalties for " reckless and dangerous " driving are very properly increased. The latter is distinguished from " careless " driving, which is regarded as a venial offence. The value of this distinction will, of course, entirely depend upon the interpretation of the courts.
Public attention has fastened particularly on the provision made for covering " third-party risks." We are glad to note that a certain latitude has been allowed as to the means of covering them. The provision that every motorist shall be able to meet the expenses which he is liable to incur should do away with much injustice, and relieve our hospitals of an unmerited burden.
Finally, a start, but no more, has been made, in accordance with the recommendations of the Commission, on the vital problem of a more rational organization of traffic authorities. We refer to the division of the country into twelve " Traffic Areas " to be administered by three Commissioners appointed by the Minister of Transport. The system of appointment is designed to secure the maximum amount of co-operation between the local and the national authorities.
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