Police-1957-1958 — Page 40

DRIVING TESTS

148. A total of 23,267 test forms were issued during the year and 17,596 tests were given with 4,795 failures. At the end of the year there were 79,109 licensed drivers, an increase of 10,552. Appendix X gives figures compared with those for previous years.

EXAMINATION OF VEHICLES

149. Inspection of motorized vehicles showed a considerable increase from 26,700 to 33,050 and of non-motorized vehicles a decrease from 19,940 to 19,590. Appendix VIII Table 'B' shows a comparison with figures for previous years.

THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM

150. With the continued increase in the numbers of vehicles and drivers using the roads of the Colony it is apparent that the problem will continue to develop unless major improvements are made to relieve congestion and maintain the circulation of traffic. Traffic flow is maintained at present by intensive physical efforts on the part of the police, but in certain parts of the Colony these are nearing their limits.

151. The parking problem is now one of serious dimensions although an initial step towards amelioration was taken during the year with the provision of multi-storey carparks. Intensified building development and the continued growth of the population have meant that acute traffic conditions are now being found in areas that were quiet backwaters a comparatively short time ago.

ROAD SAFETY MEASURES

152. During the year efforts continued to be directed towards educating all road users, particularly pedestrians, by means of radio, television, the press, cinema, posters, pamphlets, lectures in schools and in Resettlement Areas, and by direct instruction and advice to pedes- trians in selected streets.

153. There was a record attendance of over 160,000 members of the public at the annual Traffic Exhibition which was aimed at giving advice and guidance to the greatest possible number of road users on matters of road safety, traffic regulations and traffic problems generally.

32

APage 41