MOTOR TRAFFIC CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 131, 2 March 1928, Page 10

MOTOR TRAFFIC CONTROL

REVISED REGULATIONS NEW SPEED PROVISIONS; NO SET LIMIT ALTERATIONS FROM ORIGINAL DRAFT New provisions relative to speed are a feature of the revised motor regulations gazetted last night. _ No set speed limit is defined, but a table of speeds is given, and the onus is on the driver, if his speed exceeds this, to prove that the speed was not dangerous in the circumstances. Dimming of lights, except in well-lighted streets, is to be forbidden after June 1 next. Alterations to the original draft regulations have also been made with respect to. other aspects of lighting, to braking, warning devices, general equipment, towing, loading, rules of the road, drivers’ signals, and traffic signs, the use of symbols , being permitted in the last-named connection.

Tn the section dealing with administration, a new provision lias been incorporated requiring all traffic inspectors under the regulations to hold drivers’ licenses. Lighting. Important alterations have been made in regard to the lighting provisions. Dimming generally is to be forbidden after June 1 next, but in well-lighted streets a driver may dim, or use his sidelights. The attachment to a vehicle of up to two spotlights is now permitted, but with the following restriction: “Every spotlight shall be so constructed, fitted and arranged that when the vehicle is standing, on a horizontal surface no portion of the main beam of light shall rise, or be capable of being raised, to a height which at a distance of 75ft. from the lamp is more than 3ft. Gin. above the horizontal surface at any point either in a line directly ahead of the vehicle or within a horizontal arc of 45 degrees on either side of the line.” Furthermore, the use of a spotlight as a headlight, except in case of accident, is prohibited. The original proviso concerning the uso of additional lights has been removed. Regarding adjustments it is now provided that “Every headlight shall be so focused and adjusted that when the vehicle is standing on a horizontal surface the main beam of light is not projected alwve the horizontal plane of the lamp, nor projected to a height which at a distance of 75ft. from the lamp is more than 3ft. 6in. above such horizontal surface.” An alteration has also been made to the clauses affecting lights on stationary vehicles. The provisions are not to apply to vehicles on stands established by local bodies where a notice indicates that lighting may be dispensed with, or nt places which are adequately lighted. Braking Requirements. A complete alteration has been mado in the definition of the term “independent brake.” This now means “a brake of which the entire operating mechanism or system is either —ya) Distinct and separate from all parts or connections of any other brake or brake-system, so that 'the brake in question cannot be adversely affected by the operation or failure of any other brake; or (b) common to any other brake or brake-sys-tem, only in parts or connections which are of such design and strength that there is no reasonable probability of failure of the’independent brake by reason. of the failure of any other brake or brake-system.” In connection with the requirement that every motor vehicle other than a trailer or motor-cycle must be equipped with two independent brakes, an exemption is allowed with respect to the vehicles now in New Zealand, which are given until March 31 next to comply. Warning Devices. It was proposed to have all motor vehicles equipped with “deep-toned” warning devices, other than a siren or bell. The descriptive adjective does not appear in the new set of regulations. , The use of unpleasant sounding devices is prohibited. Except in case of emergency, warning devices are to be used for reasonable traffic needs only. The requirement on drivers to give warning of their approach has been amended, the provision setting out: “Every person driving a motor vehicle on any road shall, upon every occasion when it is proper end reasonable to give notice to traffic of the approach or movements of each vehicle, give such notice by actuating his warning device in a reasonably sufficient manner." General. The provisions relative to ready means of entrance to and exit from vehicles are not to apply to prison vans. The Under-Secretary of tho Public Works Department is empowered to give written permission to tourists for the operation of speciified motor vehicles, which do not comply with the requirement prohibiting the use -of left-hand steering. Tn future all motor vehicles must be fitted with foot-rests for the use of every person carried other than in a sidecar. There is a further requirement that motor vehicles must generally bo in a safe condition. Towing. The clauses dealing with towing have been redrafted and amended. The maximum length between the vehicles is increased to 20 feet. Where the distance exceeds 12 feet, a conspicuous cloth will have to be attached midway along the connectin" rope, and tfte towed vehicle must still be capable of being readily steered. At night time lights will also be required on the vehicle towed. Other alterations have also been effected. Loading. New provisions under the loading regulations are that motor vehicles or trailers, but not motor-cycles, must not be operated “if the load is so arranged, or of such a nature that the total over-all length of the vehicle and load, exceed 28 feet, eave in the case of a vehicle of the three-axle type, in which case, it shall not exceed 30 feet,” and “if the load is not either safely contained within the body of the vehicle, or else securely fastened to the vehicle.” The number of persons who may ride on a motor-cycle is restricted to two, and tho complement of a motor-cvcle and sidecar to four —two on the machine, and two in the sidecar. Pillion riders are required to ride astride, and riding on the tank is forbidden. Rules of the Road. Alterations have been made also with respect to the draft regulations covering the “rules of the road” section. Where the width of the road formation permits drivers are required to keep to the left of the centre line., but where tho speed is under fifteen miles per hour (ten miles previously) drivers are to keep their vehicles as near as practicable to their left edge of the road but clear of earthen water tables. The following new provision is to apply to Hie overtaking of vehicles at corners: “No driver of any motor-vehicle shall overtake or attempt to pass any vehicle proceeding in the same 'direction: (a) At an intersection, or within a distance of 30ft, before an intersection, if the other vehicle is travelling at a speed greater than six miles per hour.: (b) at or within 30ft. before any point where Hie road trn-

versed changes its direction by ninety or more degrees.” Regarding turning to the right an alternative provision lias been included. The driver, after signalling his intention, can either keep to the left of any traffic dome or other indicator, or maintain his position to his left of the centre line of the road into which he is turning, and then turn into Hie latter road as directly and as quickly as he can with safety.

Drivers' Signals. When about to stop or so reduce speed a, driver is required to give a signal “by bending his right forearm directly upwards. with the upper part of the arm directly outwards from the body ami horizontal, at a point at least 30ft. before'the point of stopping or commencing, so to reduce speed (except when stopping or reducing speed on account of traffic requirements, and in that case at a point as near to the first-mentioned point as circumstances permit), and keeping his arm in that position until he stops or commences so to reduce speed.” If about to turn to tho right, it is to be done “by extending his full right arm horizontally to the right at a point at least 30ft. before the point of commencing to make the turn and keeping it in that, position until commencing to make the tarn.” The requirement that a warning signal be sounded twice when a driver intends to turn to the left is deleted. Conduct on Roads. Under the heading of conduct of motor-vehicles on roads, it is now provided that no driver shall cause his motor-vehicle to travel backwards for a greater distance or longer time than is considered “reasonable." Cars parked at authorised parking places are exempted from the clause prohibiting .vehicles or their loads from overhanging footpaths. Several alterations have been made in the clauses dealing with places where •.chicles may be stopped. jExcept in cases of emergency, or when waiting for way to proceed, or at the direction of a police officer or traffic inspector, or at a place established by a controlling authority as a stand for motorvehicles, vehicles must not bo stopped: In any position on a road except parallel with the direction of the road, and with the left side of the vehicle to the near edge of the road except for the purpose of loading or discharging goods by the rear of the vehicle; in any part of a road except near the left edge; in any part of a road near any corner or bend unless the vehicle is . visible from all parts of the road within 60ft. of corner or bend ■ within 6ft. of a fire-plug set in the surface of any road; on any tramline within a tram’s length to the rear of any point marked as a stopping-place for trams or between the near side of such portion of tramline and the footpath or side of the road nearest thereto; or between any entrance to a tramway waiting-shelter and the tramline nearest thereto. Table of Speeds. The regulations dealing with speed have been considerably amended. The original provision that “no person shall drive any motor-vehicle at such a speed that the vehicle cannot bo brought to a standstill within half (he length of clear road which is visible to the driver immediately in front of the. vehicle,” remains. No set speed limit is laid down, but exceeding the speeds given in the appended table means that tne driver runs the risk of prosecution for dangerous driving, and tho onus is on him to prove that the speed was not dangerous in the circumstances, The new table of speeds is as under:— (a) Thirty-five miles per hour in any case in which a lower speed is not hereinafter set out: (b) Twenty-five miles per hour at any place within the limits of any borough or town district where it is reasonable to suppose that the driver of tho motor-vehicle knew himself to bo within the limits of a borough or town district: (c) Fifteen miles per hour — • (i) When passing between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. a school to which any erected traffic sign relates; (ii) When passing a hospital to which any erected traffic sign relates ; (iii) When approaching any intersection which is of such a nature that when the driver is 90ft. away he has not a clear and uninterrupted view of such intersection and of the traffic upon every road leading thereto for a distance of SOft. beyond such intersection; (tv) When passing any portion of a road undergoing alterations or repairs; (v) When passing any stationary tram on its route making in the opposite direction: (d) Ten miles per hour—ti) When going through any tunnel ; (ii) When going round a curve or corner of any road if the driver has not a clear view of the road in front of him for a distance of at. least 40ft. in the direction in which he is proceeding (during which time also adequate and repeated signal must he given by use of the warning instrument); (iii) AVhen passing any stationary tram on its route making in the same direction where a safety zone is interposed between the tram and the motor-vehicle.

Controlling authorities are empowered to fix by by-law maximum speeds, but these are not to exceed such of those incorporated in the above table as may be applicable to the circumstances, or are to hr such that will justify dangerous driving. Symbols on Traffic Signs.

Provision is made for tho use, if desired, of symbols in traffic signs. The period during which local authorities may continue to use and maintain signs already erected which are not in accordance with the regulations as to colour and design is increased from two to five years. Dealing with tho erection of signs it is provided that these shall be so erected as, where practicable, to be illuminated by the hadlights of approaching vehicles. Mutilation or damage of signs constitutes an offence.