FROM the VAULT – The “White Ghost”

THE “White Ghost” – A VEHICLE FOR ROAD SENSE EDUCATION

A 1941 white Chevrolet Special Deluxe utility, affectionately known as the “White Ghost”, was introduced to Brisbane and Toowoomba streets in 1946 by the Queensland Police Service. The vehicle was equipped with a loud hailer and cruised the streets in an effort to encourage better observance of road rules by the motoring public. The amplifier was used by the Police Officer driver or passenger to direct traffic or even pedestrians.

Operating from early morning to late evening, the campaign to promote good community road sense and courtesy worked, with a reduction in road injuries and fatalities. These vehicles were used to educate drivers into the 1960s.

Upon the introduction of Ghost Car II onto Townsville streets the Townsville Daily Bulletin reported on 17th August 1946 “The advent of this car was responsible for a great solution of traffic problems and a reduction in casualties. It’s familiar white colour was soon known to all and acted as a great deterrent to those who were previously inclined to ignore the traffic regulations.”

This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing. We acknowledge Trove for the Townsville Daily Bulletin excerpt.

The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au

 ‘The “White Ghost” – a vehicle for road sense education’  by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode