MOTOR CONTROL

Evening Star, Issue 19805, 2 March 1928, Page 4

MOTOR CONTROL

NATIONAL REGULATIONS APPROVED LOCAL BODY LIMITS RECOGNISED [Special to the ‘Stab.’] WELLINGTON, March 1. In nine pages of small type filling the foolscap pages of the Government ‘ Gazette ’ are the regulations- which now operate throughout the dominion controlling motor traffic and equipment. There are not many changes from the preliminary draft circulated to public bodies, though the total prohibition of dimming is slightly modified. Tho lighting provision is that “every headlight attached to a motor vehicle shall be so focussed and adjusted that when the vehicle is standing on a horizontal surface, the main beany of light is not projected above the horizontal plane oi the lamp, nor projected to a height which, at a distance of 75ft from the lamp, is more than Sit Bin above such horizontal surface.

“ On and after June 1, IU2S, no person shall, while a motor vehicle is in motion, cause, or knowingly permit, any headlight displayed by such vehicle to be displayed or extinguished, or appreciably varied in brilliance in a sudden manner, whether by dimming or any other moans; provided that, in any place within a borough or town district where the street lighting is sufficient to render clearly visible a person, vehicle, or other substantial object at a distance of 150 ft, the driver of any motor vehicle may dim the headlights thereof, or may use side lights in substitution for headlights.”

A provision in the original dealt imposing at intersections the rule of preference to the vehicle approaching from the right hand does not appear in tho approved regulations. Drivers are required to signal a change of direction * and among other tilings must exercise duo care to avoid the splashing of pedestrians. The general speed limit is thirty-live miles an hour, where the lower one is not indicated; twenty-live miles within a town or borough; fifteen miles when passing schools between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., passing hospitals, a tram making in an opposite direction, and at intersections where there is not a clear view of the side road for 70ft. STANDARD SIGNS FOR LOCAL RESTRICTIONS. Local authorities may fix maximum speeds below these limits, hut the regulations prescribe standard signs tor loral restrictions, which must he provided within five years. Until this period elapses existing signs may be used. Speed restriction signs must bo posted not only at the commencement and the end of a section, but at intersections, so that drivers turning into the restricted limit shall have reasonable opportunity of being aware of the speed limits. The standard sign for local speed limits is to be 211 square, mounted, diamond shape, bearing black lettering on a yellow ground, and including an indication that the speed limit is a local restriction.

Schools will bo indicated by a square notice 2ft wide, with black lettering on a yellow ground. Tt will he a, reasonable defence, against a charge of breaking local bylaws if a defendant proves that the warnings were not erected in accoiclance with the motor regulations. The. general penalty clause for breaches of the regulation fixes the fine at not exceeding £od.