The Evening Star MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1936. TRAFFIC CONTROL.

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 8

The Evening Star MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1936. TRAFFIC CONTROL.

It will be generally agreed that the necessity exists in. New Zealand for a tightening of the regulations aiming at the more effective control of traffic, and it is safe to say that the Transport Department’s move in this direction will earn widespread public approval. The latest information on what is being done conies through the announcement that proposals for an improved system are contained in a draft set of regulations, copies of which have been circulated among interested organisations by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) through the department. It would appear from the draft nature of the regulations and the fact that interested organisations are being asked to consider them that the plans are merely tentative, but, although there may ultimately be minor amendments, their inherent soundness gives rise to the hopeful expectation that they will provide a good working basis for a future policy. The regulations aim at greater safety for all types of traffic. Motorists will be asked to conform to the standard of fitness required for their vehicles, and, according to the present intentions, every vehicle, after next November, will have to carry a warrant of fitness taken out not less than six months previously. This step, which may be interpreted as a practical modification of Mr Semple’s sweeping declaration that all “ junk ” was to be removed from the roads, makes it incumbent upon motorists to procure at the cost of 5s a warrant, to be renewed periodically, stating that the condition of their mechanical charges complies with the regulations. As the idea seems workable, nobody should begrudge the department its fee. In the main the present regulations governing lighting and braking are to he repeated. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, provision is made for the enforcement of efficient braking, but, although the Dunedin City Corporation has embarked on a braketesting campaign, there is reason to believe that the regulations in a national sense need immediate tightening.

The proposal dealing with the hours worked by lorry drivers, which obviously has for its object the prevention of accidents caused by fatigue and over-strain, should fit in well with the Government’s industrial legislation. In some instances it may be difficult to enforce, but with the co-operation of employers and owner-drivers of vehicles, it should at least be possible to observe it in a manner sufficiently strict to reduce road risks to a minimum. It is hardly surprising that cyclists have been reminded of their responsibilities. One has but to observe the careless methods of progression adopted by some cyclists to realise the potential danger they create both for themselves and pedestrians. In this respect a spirit of showmanship plays no , small part, for peddlers of these silent machines are -often seen riding without visible control of the handlebars and also swooping round corners in a fashion which suggests that the principles of “ broadsiding ” have not' been forgotten. The tendency of the cyclist is to rely too much on the mobility of his bicycle to get him out of trouble. The rules of the road ensuring the safety of pedestrian traffic are important. Admittedly the carelessness of some pedestrians must be exasperating to motorists. However, it has to be realised that pedestrians are in the majority and also that, since their numbers include the very old, the very young, and the infirm, the regulations will have to be framed to protect these extremes. There is no other way out. The era of the authorised pedestrian crossing in New Zealand cities has come, and we cannot help but acclaim the rules providing that at such places the driver of a motor vehicle shall yield the right of way and when approaching shall reduce speed so as to be able to stop if necessary. Pedestrians, in their turn, will have to make use of the footpaths wherever possible. The general principles of the proposals should receive the blessing of the organisations to which they have been submitted, and also of the 'National Safety Council, whose approval they must win before they are brought into force.