Drivers show lack of concern—MP

Standards of driving are deteriorating and motorists are showing a lack of concern over the problem. This warning came from Finchley and Friern Barnet MP Mrs. Margaret Thatcher on Saturday.

“I would like to see an increase in those who take advanced driving tests,” she said.

“Drivers must be taught that they cannot recognise their own bad habits. Simultaneously they must adapt their attitude to cater for other motorists' poor driving.

She added that is was the young, aged between 18 and 25, that needed instruction in this area but pointed out that there were not enough people to teach and encourage them.

Mrs. Thatcher was speaking at a reception to mark the redecoration of the Finchley offices of the League of Safe Drivers of which she has been a patron for more than 15 years. She said that only ten per cent. of new members that join the organisation in the South East of England come from Greater London.

But league officials have expressed their hope that the £60 redecoration of the offices at Apex House, Grand Arcade, North Finchley, will increase membership.

Mr. Stanley MacMillan, a driving instructor and member of the organisation since 1965, said: “The offices looked like a pig sty and did nothing to aid the league and its cause. Now it has a new coat of paint and strip lighting. It looks far more inviting.”

The work was done voluntarily by Mr. MacMillan and his wife, Janet, a pharmacist, on Sundays and took two months to complete.

Guests present at the function included league chairman Ald. Leslie Snelling and league vice-chairman the Mayor of Barnet, Cr. Frank Gibson.