LAW, ORDER AND RECORDS
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undecided. The additional sea-patrols started in 1962 have con- tinued throughout 1964 and the Royal Navy have regularly given assistance to the branch.
TRAFFIC
There are now 155.8 vehicles to every mile of road. In 1964 for the first time new vehicle registrations exceeded 10,000. The actual number was 11,666 bringing the total to 84,634. (Other vehicle statistics are at Appendix XXXV). The maintenance of reasonable traffic flow and the avoidance of congestion is the task of the Traffic Branch of the police force. Widespread building development and associated road works add to the difficulty created by sheer density of traffic. Highways must be kept clear of obstruction from hawkers, shopkeepers and construction sites while the prevention of jay- walking and proper use of crossings have been a constant task of the Traffic Branch assisted by the uniformed branch.
Education must play a great part in all efforts to cope with this situation and it has been a main concern of the branch. The Road Safety Section visits schools and youth groups for talks, film-shows and demonstration and a new scheme, sponsored by the Road Safety Association and assisted by the police, to establish School Safety Patrols has had a successful beginning. Senior pupils are trained by officers of the branch to supervise road crossings near their schools and generally to inculcate a sense of road safety among their juniors.
Vehicle inspection, by officers of the Traffic Branch, as a safety measure is an increasing commitment. Although the majority of vehicles in the Colony are well maintained and less than two per cent of all traffic accidents are attributable to vehicle defects, a special problem has been presented by the operators of goods vehicles and lorries, most of whom run small two-vehicle businesses without garage or maintenance facilities. Inadequate maintenance, particularly of diesel lorries, causes a public nuisance. Much more serious, however, is the likelihood of major mechanical faults which can cause serious accidents and special efforts have been made by the branch to improve the conditions of this class of vehicle.
The intermediate driving test, introduced last year to reduce the waste of examination time, is proving worth-while. Unfortunately the benefits in terms of quicker issue of licences for proficient
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