H—4o

D. ROAD TRAFFIC INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS Instruction in traffic practices has been given in the schools by the regular classroom teachers and by periodic visits of outside instructors. There are eight instructors of the Transport Department who are engaged full time upon this work. In a few centres a local Traffic Officer also makes similar visits, while a number of the automobileassociations send selected personnel to assist in this work. In spite of the instruction which has been given, accidents among school pupils are still very numerous, and especial concern is felt at the upward trend-in the number of cyclists who are being injured. It is considered desirable to intensify the work already being done, particularly with secondary-school scholars. Many thousands of scholars ride to school on bicycles, and the Department's Instructors are at present endeavouring not only to improve riding habits, but also to* make sure that bicycles carry the safety-devices required by the law—viz., bells, brakes,, lights, rear reflector, and white mark on the rear mudguard. A great deal of the Department's advertising matter in junior publications has been directed to the cyclist, and during 1948 an illustrated Cycling Code has been published and issued to schools for use in appropriate classes.

E. ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS At 31st March, 1949, the strength of the uniformed traffic staff of the Transport Department was as follows :

The increase in staff is accounted for by the taking-over of Rotorua and Masterton Boroughs, and the appointment of additional Inspectors at Auckland, Mount Roskill r Christchurch, Roxburgh, Wellington (2), and Stratford. The Department's traffic staff exercises control on behalf of 125 counties and 121 urban areas (including the Cities of Palmerston North, Timaru and Nelson). During the year the following local authorities voluntarily vested the control of traffic in this Department: Alexandra (population, 1,080), Masterton (population, 9,900), Rotorua (population, 8,420), Woodville (population, 1,130), and the Bulls and Takaka Town Boards. A training course for Junior Traffic Inspectors was held during the year. Fourteen officers from the Department and two from local bodies attended. Some 192 cases of accident-prone drivers were reported on during the year, and of these, 12 have so far been retested, all passing the examination.

18

Location. Chief Traffic Inspectors. Assistant Chief Traffic Inspectors. Senior Traffic Inspectors. Traffic Inspectors. Total. Head Office Auckland Wellington Christchurch Dunedin 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 2 1 30 30 22 16 4 35 35 26 18 Total, 1949 5 5 9 99 118 Total, 1948 5 5 7 93 110