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However, among child cyclists there was an appreciable increase in the number of casualties. In 1948, 7 were killed and 255 injured, compared with 4 killed and 203 others injured during 1947. The increase was most apparent among children of ages from eleven to fifteen years, where the numbers of casualties grew from 139 in 1947 to 192 in 1948. B. ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL The New Zealand Road Safety Council was reconstituted during the year. Mr. E. C. Thomas replaced Mr. N. Gilchrist as the representative of the Educational Institute on the Council. At meetings held in Wellington on 30th June and 24th'November, 1948, the reports of the eight sub-committees set up to consider various aspects of road-safety were received. The Motor-driver : Sub-committee : Dr. S. D. Rhind (Chairman), Messrs. G. L. Laurenson, W. G. Belton, W. H. Brown, A. McLaren, T. Wickham, A. C. Melville. This Committee reported on the following matters : (a) the teaching of driving; (6) qualifying for a driver's licence, and (c) subsequent checks on the suitability and fitness of drivers. Many of the recommendations made are still under action. However, as a result of the Committee's decisions, drivers involved in motor accidents are being retested to check their fitness to drive motor-vehicles. Checks are also carried out to test the driving ability of persons who have been guilty of accident-promoting offences. The Committee felt that where local bodies use the same application card for annual renewals of drivers' licences the applicant is not always aware that when signing this card he is re-affirming that the particulars are still true and correct. The Department has taken steps to bring this matter to the attention of all applicants for drivers' licences. The Motor-vehicle Sub-committee : Messrs. 0. L. Laurenson (Chairman), C. R. Edmund, H. J. Knight, A. C. Melville, F. Wickham, and A. McLaren. The report of the Committee dealt with lights, brakes, speedometers, safety-chains, caravan-trailers, sun-vizors, rear windows, warrants of fitness for trailers, and the length of articulated vehicles. These recommendations are still under consideration, and a number of investigations are being made concerning specific problems. Roads : Sub-committee : Messrs. F. Langbein (Chairman), G. L. Laurenson, W. G. Belton, E. R. Neale, M.P., H. J. Knight, and R. Wilson. Consideration was given to the following matters: timber for bridges, road and street lighting, pedestrian-crossings, road condition and markings, and railway-crossings. The question of obtaining adequate supplies of suitable timber for bridgeconstruction has been referred to the Timber Controller. The Department has prepared and distributed to all interested persons a bulletin setting out the design and location of road markings as distinct from road signs. In addition, interested parties were requested to send representatives to a committee to be formed for the consideration of accident hazards at railway levelcrossings. The road-controlling authorities were asked to co-operate in providing certain safety features on roads and streets.

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