An alarming number of road traffic accidents in Paisley led to a nationwide campaign aimed at halting the dreadful statistics.
Eight people had died in 1958, and a further 581 injured in a catastrophic year on the roads in the town itself.
Ex-Provost McLean was appointed chairman of the Paisley Road Safety Committee, and was charged with reducing the amount of casualties in the town.
As Paisley’s record was amongst the worst in the country, the town’s dedicated publicity vehicle travelled all over Scotland in a bid to persuade motorists to take more care and attention while on the road.
Bosses at the ‘Be A Better Driver’ campaign also introduced a five-point plan to help drivers.
They were: Concentration, which, the campaign insisted, was the first essential of good driving. If concentration is lacking, even for a moment, the driver is risking not only his own life, but the lives of others.
Courtesy: Consideration for all other road users is an essential characteristic of a good driver, and without it, the make-up of any vehicle user is far from complete. Ruffled temperatures are often soothed by the acknowledgment of a courteous act received or given.
Care of pedestrians: Show care and courtesy when approaching pedestrians. Many of them are not vehicle users and may not be able to anticipate the likely movements of vehicles. Some may have infirmities not obvious to other people, so always imagine that the pedestrian ahead is deaf and you will take the correct driving precautions.
Speed: The greater the speed the less time there is to avoid dangerous situations and, remember, it is the pace that kills. Regulate your speed carefully at all times.
Overtaking: A large number of accidents are caused by misjudgment of speed and distance when overtaking. Before overtaking make certain that it is safe to do so. Look as far ahead as possible and sum up the visual circumstances – which means, never overtake on a blind bend.
This advice may have been given out 55 years ago, but is as pertinent today as it was five decades ago!