Summary

Booklet issued by the State Emergency Council for Civil Defence, Victoria, in 1941 providing advice for motorists and road users.

The booklet provides information to help motorists and other road users to comply with the National Security (Lighting Restrictions) Regulations. The booklet is divided into three parts: the first part explains how to comply with lighting regulations by restricting the light emitted by vehicles; the second part explains what to do in the event of an air raid and the third part explains the lighting restrictions for traffic and obstruction lights. Also included in the booklet is reference guide for air raid signals inside the front cover.

According to the Argus newspaper, the Victorian State Government was planning air raid precautions as early as 1939 with particular focus on Melbourne and Geelong. By 1940 plans for blacking out Melbourne were in place and the first black out test was made in Wattle Park at 2am in February 1941. Depsite this a letter published in the Frankston Standard later that same month comments about the seeming lack of 'State encouragement' whilst commending the air raid volunteers for their enthusiasm and commitment. The letter also notes that it was unlikely that Victoria would suffer an attack, but still important that precautions were undertaken. Such precautions appear to have increased in fervency following the attacks in the northern regions of Australia, including plans for the evacuation of children from Melbourne.

Australia suffered from 96 air raids on the mainland, concentrated on the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, during World War II.

Physical Description

Small, blue soft-cover twelve-page booklet entitled 'Advice to Motorists and Road Users.'

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