Transport Co-ordination Council Advocated

Chronicle (Levin), 16 July 1948, Page 7

Transport Co-ordination Council Advocated

Press Association )

HPer

WELLINGTON; July 13. An obligation ou a motor driver involved in an accident causiiig porsouaJ injury, to report tlie aceident in person lo a police constable or police statiou as soon as reasonably practioable withiu 24 liours at the inost, unless physically iucapaeitated, is imposed b'y a elause in the Transport Law Amendrnent BiiJ which was introduccd and read a first time in the House of Representativen today. , The Conrt has hcld that, as the law stands at present, a report to the polic. by any person is sutiicient to remove this responsibility from a driver. The Minister of Transport, M r. llackett, said the Bill cmbodied recoui uiendations rnade from time to tiine b.^ the Transport Coordination Council, itoad baf ety Cotmcil, police and othei interested organisations. lle proposed. ai'ter the second reading debate, to have the Bill sent to a special committee. The Bill makes it clear that a person disqualilied from driving may not driv>. even when alongside a licensed driver. 'At present any person may drivo with out a licence if learning to drive and accompanied by a quuljliyd drive. alongside hina. The penalty for driving w'hile disqualilied is incre'ased from £ ou to a maximum of £100 vvhile the Cour. is also empowered for such an olfenc. to increase the period of suspension b\ a further 12 months. Provision is made for the automaiurevocatiou of a motor driver 's tkeireiwhen the holder is the subjeet of a ro ception order as a mental defective. The Biil vvidens the power to bring trams within the scope of the trailic regulations in reference to pedestrian crossings. 'J'ho lieensing of harbour ferry so vines is providod for and existing ser vines are entitled to be licensed as o; right. Provision is made, for the establish ment of a Transport Coordination Council of 14 members represehting ■,th» Govermuent departments noncerued with transport and employers and em ploy'oes of transport services, wliose functions wili be to ant iu an advisory capaeity to the Minister of Transpor oxl matters relating to all forms oi" transport. The reports and recom uiendations of the council are to be laid bet'ore Parliament. The Bill also establishes a Transport Cliarges Conunittee of three persons to be appointed by tlie Minister and nom prising a chalrmau, oue ropresenting Ihe owners' of transport services and oue the users of transport services. Al, applications relating to passenger oi I'reight charges for motor transport or liarbour ferfies, will be considered in the fi'rst plane by this commlttee. The'de cision of the committee, if satisfactorv to all parlies concerned, will be put inln elTect but if not, any dissatisiied party will liave the right of appeul to tio rransport Charges Appeul Aulliority omjinsing a .ludge, which will thei. old a pubjic ine,etiug and issup a neu lecisioti agaiust which tliere is no fur Jier right of appeal. The appefi. uthorily may also issue goneral direc ons to be followed by the chal'ges onimittee. Machinery clauses set ou; 1 he proeedure to bc followed in the u'aring of cases by the committee ir utlioritv. The decisions and powers oi iie authority and comniittee repla*e liose of lieensing authorities so far a: liarges are concerned. It is provided that privately-owned rueks used for the cartage of the ■ wner's owu goods, are to be broughi mder the same system of period^cal in pection as to road worthiness an i uechanical fitness as applies to trucks iperated by licensed carriers but tlii • rovision does not include trucks owned iy the Govcruineiit, loeal authoritic•nd farmers. Lieensing authorities are given •ower . to prescribe conditions foi mproveuients in taxi services includny lower to require taxi services to ti. ostered and to require taxi operator? o boeome members of taxi organisa ions. ll also enables lieensing authoritieto require operators of.bus services tc provide shelters for passengers. Provision is made for the issue oi •egulations limiting the common law liability of road transport services aud ■harbour. ferries for loss of or damage to goods. ' The Director of Stabilisation and Uirector of Itehabililation are given rig'hts of appeal against ihe decisionjf transport lieensing authorities. Tlie IVfinister said a dral't of the Bib luid been iu the hands of operators and users for six months.