HEAVY TRAFFIC SPEEDS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22514, 23 September 1938, Page 3

HEAVY TRAFFIC SPEEDS

REQUEST FOR INCREASE “COUNTRY OPERATORS HANDICAPPED” An increase of the speed limit for unladen heavy traffic vehicles from 25 miles an hour to 35 miles an hour was advocated by the Christchurch Shingle and Metal Supply Association in a letter to the Christchurch Carriers’ Association, which was read at a meeting of the association last night. Mr F. H. Musgrove presided. Mr H. J. Knight, secretary of the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Association, and secretary of the New Zealand Road Alliance, said it was extremely difficult to discriminate between different types of loads, some of which were very bulky, but not heavy while others were the reverse. Engineers had satisfied the Transport Department that most of the damage to the roads was caused by heavy loads and high speeds. The department found that with a 30 miles an hour limit trucks were travelling at 35 miles an hour before the inspectors could get a conviction. So it was decided to reduce the speed limit to 25 miles an hour when heavier loads were permitted. Members of the association mentioned instances where drivers had been prosecuted for exceeding the 25 miles an hour limit when they were driving empty trucks. This, it 'was stated. was~a big handicap for operators travelling over long distances in the country. The secretary (Mr J. B. Taylor) said that with the 25 miles an hour limit there was a five miles an hour tolerance. This, perhaps, might not be generally known. The meeting decided to inform the Shingle and Metal Supply Association about the five miles an hour tolerance.