Another Look at the Roads
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X5803100107 |
| Author | Frank Elmes |
| Published date | 01 January 1958 |
| Date | 01 January 1958 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ANOTHER
LOOK
AT
THE
ROADS
Another Look at the Roads
By
FRANK
ELMES.*
43
IT is becoming increasingly apparent that money in sufficient
quantities will not be available to keep the development of
our
roads abreast of the increasing demands made by road traffic.
For
the past seven years the situation has been deteriorating. Within five
years it may reach the point of crisis.
Engineering remains important in the battle of the roads, but, due
to lack of funds, cannot at this moment
and
in the next five years, be
regarded as crucial. How then is traffic to be kept flowing in reasonable
safety? Only one answer can be found. Traffic law must be strengthened
in some directions, trimmed in others, and the whole enforced. Educa-
tion must be concentrated on winning back respect for the law from all
classes of road user. Police action and attitudes must be geared to the
general plan.
If the facts be faced it must be admitted that the mental approach
of
policemen to traffic law enforcement has often been unsound. Perhaps
manpower has influenced the attitude of some senior officers but,_
after making full allowance for the difficulties, it is still fundamentally
wrong for a policeman to say, "These people are basically law abiding
people, therefore it is safe to allow them to commit such offences as
they think fit," or, as an alternative,
"In
my area I do not propose to
enforce this law because I think the law in unnecessary." Where does
the authority of Parliament appear in such situations? What happens
to the moral backing which is so desirable for law and law enforce-
ment? Anational policy on enforcement seems absolutely essential
if
public respect for traffic law is to be regained. More damage is done by
local variations than anationally slack approach could achieve.
Motoring correspondents are
apt
to write, "The police at Ahave a
more sensible view of speed limits than the Force at
B."
Of course the
true position is that Force Bis doing its job, Force Ais failing. But
the effect of the whole is that the law, and with it Force B, falls into
further obloquy.
Two matters, parking and speed, need careful re-examination in
relation to the law. Stationary vehicles constitute a most tremendous
-----------------
*Our old contributor and twice
Gold
Medallist (1949 and 1951) Superintendent
Frank
Elmes has now retired from the Dorset
Constabulary
after
thirty years'
service. He has gone to live in the New
Forest
and writes
"I
hope to grow a
few things. write a few things, and do a bit of broadcasting
for
the West
Region
RB.C."
We wish him good health and happiness in his well earned
retirement.-Eo.
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