NEW MOTOR RULES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19161, 18 November 1927, Page 5

NEW MOTOR RULES

WELLINGTON VIEWS. REASONABLE IN THE MAIN. Motorists in the city were keenly interested in the draft of the new regulations for the control of motor traffic presented for criticism by Mr Furkert, and nearly every one had his own ideas regarding tliem (says the Ellington "Dominion")- There appeared to be some doubt in the minds of owners of left-hand drive cars which cannot be altered, as to their ultimate fate, but the regulations appear to make it clear that they will apply only to vehicles registered subsequently to March 31st, 1928. Some motorists expressed a preference for the left-hand drive, especially on country roads. This will form one of the subjects for discussion at a general meeting of the Motor Unions of both Islands which will 1 be called to gather the official views of motorists to be placed before the. Public Worlcs Department. It is stated by members of the local motorists' union that many matters for which motorists have been pressing for years are not touched upon in the draft, but satisfaction is expressed with many of the new proposed rules. "The regulations have not been issued before their time," said Mr H. D. Bennett, when asked for his views"People have waiting for them, and on the whole they are most desirable and in keeping with the general requirements of tho country. Speed Rules Criticised. "Tho first thing that motorists will notice in the regulations is sub-clause 2a of regulation 15, which provides that 'No person shall drive any motorvehicle at a speed in excess of 35 miles per hour for a continuous distance of over a quarter of a mile.' It appears as though this clause attempts to fix the speed limit for New Zealand at 35 miles per hour. This is merely making a regulation which will be more honoured in the breach than in tho observance. It is idle to bring down regulations of this sort in these days. Take a trip to Napier, for instance. If an average of 30 miles an hour is to be observed for the trip, it means that more than 35 miles must be done oyer an appreciable portion of it. It is impossible to keep a big, heavy car down to 35 miles as the limit for a trip of this sort. There should be no limit for speed at all on some parts of the open roads, though I think that the _ regulation fixing the speed at 25 miles an hour within the limits of a.ny borough is quite, all right." "An outstanding feature of the regulations is the provision for the prevention of dimming. This will bring to a head a matter which has been the subject of controversy in and out of the law Courts for a number of years. Close observers of the effect of dimming long ago came to the conclusion that the sudden plunging into darkness was always coupled with extreme danger, but the habit of dimming has been continued very largely by. reason of the signalled invitation frequently sent by oncoming cars, even In these days. Thus the old custom has to be complied with. The prevention of dimming is a good thing. In these : days manufacturers of» cars are putting in a diversity of headlights which avoid the dangers' of 'clear headlights", and no modern car is without such safer lights. "It seems to me that there_ will be some exception to the prohibition of ladies riding pillion sideways on motorcycles, because I have seen many ladies looking quite comfortable and safe in the more ladylike position." Plslng of Limit Speeds.

"The elimination of speed fixing by any controlling authority save the regulations is an excellent one. One of the bugbears of motoHsts to-day are the frequent changes of speed regulations as he travels from one place to the other through the country.' As a matter of fact, it is owing to that particular difficulty that there has been such a universal demand for universal regulations. "The road rules are useful,_ but I have always felt that there is room for the inclusion of a clause permitting of the general use of the horn in signalling, particularly the signals are being given by a motorist approaching another from behind. One short blaßt could signify that the oncoming motorist desired to go forward, two that be desired to go to the left, and three that he wished to go to the right. This would save the motorist he was overtaking from looking behind to see tlio hand signals. He could hear the horn in places where curves or other impediments prevented a clear vision of the hand signals, and it would obviate the necessity of his looking round, which I consider always a danger to the pedestrian, who is the first person whose safety should be considered." »

PETROL SUBSTITUTE.

EXPERIMENTAL FUEL. Interest in petrol substitutes is being fostered on thr Continent, and car manufacturers are co-operating with chemists to put the new fuels to test. One of the most interesting events of the year will be a four-hour race to be held at Lille for cars using expenmental fu-ls. The competing vehicles will include some cars with specially designed'engines, and much will depend on the showing which these cars will make against vehicles with standard engines alapted for petrol substitutes. While some research experts consider that diminutive crude oil engines will provide the transport of toe future, others prefer to concentrate on the development of a fuel for existing types of internal combustion engines. Among the fuels which will be eligible for use in the Lille competitions are paraffin, gas oil, alcohol, heavy mineral and vegetable oils, acetvlene, coal, and charcoal gas. Alter the four-hour race, a programme ol economy and power tests will be iollowed, and awards will be made tor easy starting and simplicity Some expensive but very efficient fuels will no doubt make their appearance, but nothing will be barred if there is a possibility of wide commercial application bringing cgst to a competitive level.

Although John and his wife had been married thirty years, it was said that they had never been known to agree upon anything—except once. John bought a car, and in due course learned to drive it—in a way. When he took his wife for her hrst ride all went merrily until John attempted to turn a corner. "John!" screamed his wife, grasping his arm. "You're going to hit that pole!" "T know it," *aid John. And he did. Lovers in the old days gassed on the step; nowadays they oh, yon finish it!