SOUTHERN MOTOR UNION

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 61, 6 December 1926, Page 15

SOUTHERN MOTOR UNION

BUSINESS AT QUARTERLY MEETING MINIMISING ACCIDENTS Br TELEG’tATH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Oamaru, December 4. The quarterly meeting of the delegates to the South. Island Motor Union was held yesterday, Mr. A. E. Ansell in tlw chair. A letter was received from the Taranaki Automobile Association asking to be included tn Hie Soulfi Island Union s motor insurance scheme. It was decided to reply that uiu rules bid not provide for tne acceptance oi other than associations affiliated tu tlie Soutu islauu union. Tne chairman said the executive bad decided to obtain proposals Horn tue various associations as to methods oi minimising aeidems. lu compliance witu mis the Utago Motor Club forwarded me following recommendations: (1) That tlie importation of left-hand drive moiui vehicles be prouibited; (a) that all motor vehicles be compelled to have a mirror fixed in sueb a position that it will show traffic approaching fiosn the rear; GJ) that it be made compulsory for all motor-car owners to have third paity insurance cover; (4) that motor drivers licenses be standardised, and that tests by duly-qualified inspectors be carried out; (5) that it be compulsory lor all motor vehicles, with the exception oi motor-cycles, to have efficient windscreen wipers fitted; ffi) that governing bodies, such as borough councils, be asked to make their by-laws uniform ns tar as possible throughout the Dominion; (7) that motor mechanics should sit for an examination before being licensed; (8) that items of garage accounts should be signed by the mechanic, who did the work, 1 (9) that motor inspectors should periodically inspect all motor-cars, especially as. to the efficiency of brakes and steering-gear; (10) that steps be taken to keep slowly-moving vehicles as much to their side of Lhe roa.d as possible; (11) that lights on stationary cars be dimmed; (12) that all town and city councils see that pedestrians keep to the footpaths in busy streets, except nt intersections; (13) that street crossings for pedestrians be defined by lines of different colour from those defining motor traffic; (14) that street parking places be lined out, alloting a space for each car; (15) that all motor-buses and lorries be open on the drivers’ right, or that sound catching devices bo attached; (16) that all cyclists should have ruby reflectors; (17) that it be illegal for insurance companies to give a cover of more than two-thirds of the value of a vehicle. It was resolved to forward the suggestions to tho executive for a comprehensive report. The Nelson Automobile Association forwarded the following suggestions:— (1) That the South Island Motor Union should make an emphatic protest against the continued delay in issuing the promised motor regulations. "Wo feel,"the letter said, “that when these regulations are available, local bodies will be able to frame their own bylaws, and that until these are, issued a great many matters which might be considered are automatically held up. (2) That the South Island Motor Union reaffirm the principle of giving way to traffic on the right. These recommendations were approved. The Southland Association recommended that the South Island Motor Union should strongly disapprove the practice of motor associations in countenancing road speeding. A Southland delegate gave an instance of a recent record run by a car from Christchurch to Invercargill, during which the average speed was just in 40 miles an hour, and it was stated that an observer had been provided by an affiliated association. The chairman dissociated the Otago Club from such a speed test. There was no doubt, he said, that the ear must have been run at a dangerous speed, and it was a grave error tor any affiliated association to be connected with such a speed test. He strongly protested against such a thing happening again. The remit was endorsed. Nelson Automobile Association forwarded' tho following remit: "In view of the fact that conditions have changed and are changing so much, tbe advisability should be considered of the Main Highways Board taking over everything relating to the main highways—i.e., construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of main highways. The chairman se.m ho thought they should discuss the matter with the <Jounties* Association, and this course was agreed to .. The chairman deprecated the election of hoardings all over the country, and moved: (1) That the South Island Union should co-operate with the North Island Union in an endeavour to nave legislation introduced which will abolish the existing objectionable method of advertising on or adjacent to rural highways: (2) that the union should express its displeasure at the manner tn wdiich petrol and motor tire companies illsfigure scenic beauties of the Dominion by the erection of hoardings, and that all such companies should be written to requesting that *his objectionable method of advertising be abandoned, and that the existing hoardings be removed: and that copies of the replies to this protest should be circulated to all motor associations in the South Island. ..... Several delegates strongly criticised the Railway Department for permitting the erection of hoardings on Departmental property, and the remits met with tho unanimous approval of those present. A motion that the maximum penalty for stealing cars should be 4650, or six months’ imprisonment, was carried. One or the proposals sent forward by tkp> * togo Motor Club recommended that persons in charge of or driving motor vehicles while under the influence of liquor should have their licenses cancelled for n minimum term of three years. Only seven voted for the motion The chairman read a telegram from Mr. F. W. Johnston (Christchurch), a member of tho executive, who suggested that the union should again discountenance dimming, and recommend the relentless prosecution of ignorant or callous drivers using naked headlights or faulty anti-dazzle lenses. Tue motion met with the approval of the delegates. A suggestion from a Nelson delegate that the union executive should consider proper focussing headlights was also adopted.