LEGISLATION FOR MOTOR-CYCLISTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 150, 21 March 1939, Page 5

LEGISLATION FOR MOTOR-CYCLISTS

Recommendations Of Otago Meeting By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 20. A meeting of between 50 and 60 members of the motor-cycle section of the Automobile Association (Otago) this evening, over which Mr. A. G. Schofield, chairman of the section, preshied, discussed with Mr. A. T. C. Chorlton, publicity officer to the Transport Department, means by which the motor-cycle traffic of New Zealand could be made safer. Mr. Chorlton has had similar discussions with representatives of motor-cyclists in most centres throughout the Dominion with a view to obtaining first-hand recommendations for consideration by the Road Safety Council for incorporation in legislation designed to bring about a reduction in the accident rate.

He explained that the Dominion’s accident rate had become so high that "something simply had to be done about it.” Recommendations which this meeting adopted, he gave it to understand, indicated the form which it was likely the proposed legislation would take. They were:— (1) That the system of issuing licences to motor-cyclists throughout New Zealand should be imide uniform. (2) That there should be strict enforcement of the regulations applying to built-up areas. (3) That L plates and licences should be issued to beginners on their passing a test covering the road code and regulations, eyesight, health, etc., and elementary knowledge of the machine.

(4) That L plates should be carried for a period of three mouths. (5) That motor-cyclists driving with L licences should be restricted to a speed of 35 miles an hour and should not be allowed to carry pillion riders.

(6) That motor-cyclists carrying pillion riders should be limited to a speed of 45 miles an hour.