SPEED LIMIT AT TARADALE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 147, 9 July 1937, Page 6

SPEED LIMIT AT TARADALE

Town Board Opposes Lifting of Restrictions 'WE KNOW THE POSITION' Contending that it was in the better position to judge the merita of the case the -Taradale Town Board last night agreed to adhere to 'its previous decision to request' that certain sections of Gloucester street should not be excluded from the speed restriction of 30 'hiiles an hour. The Commissioner of Transport, m requesting the board to give the matter" further consideration ? urged theneed fdr eo-operation in applying the speed limits only where such would be reasonable. He suggested that the difficulty pointed out by the board regarding the motor-camp entrance could : be overcofue by the erection of a cautionary; sign. Alembers considered that they should support the efforts being made to put speeding down. The commissioner wrote as follows : : "Your board will appreciate that the ; sections of road referred to are quite' open and . with good visibility of the road ahead. The section at the Fernhill end of the town district is in no sense built-up, and there is only one sideroad and the motor-camp entrance before reacliing, Howard street. lf considered desirable the camp entrance could be indicated by means of a cautionary sigu. - s> '

Only Where Reasonable. "It is essential that the speed restrictions should apply on]y where it is reasonable to require univcrsal obser vance. The former position where speed restrictions were applied to all borough and town-distriet roads and in addition througb many small settlement? has been iound unsatisfactory, as in .i.t.uy cases the restriction was not rca*« nable and thus not capable oi e&/.onernent. It may be anticipated that Ihe enforcement will now be strict, and in order that it may be effective it is necessary to exciude such open sections as I have referred to instead of adopting the town-district boundaries as arbitrary commencing points for the restriction. "I would point out," added the commissioner, "that, whether a fixed speed limat applies or not, a motorist is required to drive in such a manner and at such a speed as not to cause any possible danger. This Ineans that his speed must be regulated according to the circumstances. lf there is a speed limit he must at no time exceed the maximum speed specified, even if he has a clear road ahead. Otherwise he is infringing the law and is liable to prosecution. "While desiring to effect the greatest possible degree of safety on the roads ; throughout the country, and not wishing to remove any speed limits which are necessary in the public interest, I consider that the restriction on this road should be confined to the length between the Waverley Hotel and Howard street. 1 should therefore be pleased if you would request your**board to give the proposal further consideration, taking into consideration the policy outlined above and the need for co-operation in applying the speed limits only where such would be' reasonable."

Better Position to Judge. "1 still contend tbat we are in the better position to judge the case," said Mr J. A. Wilkinson, a member of the board, in ' commenting on the letter. "It is one tliing to drive over a road when there is little traffic and another to drive over it when ihe traffic is not at its peak. At times there are iarge numbers of pedestrians using the road to the camping ground. Until we have a good footpath, the restrictions should remain. "I agree that we should co-operate where we can, but in this case wo know the position. For eve'ry motorist who is caught- there are a thousand who are not caught. lf the traffio * inspectors could be on the road daily •and there was a . reasonable chance oi the speeding motorists being caught, I would agree to the lifting - of the restrictioub. Motorists do speed right across the intersections. We had an instance of it recently in which a prosecutioii followed. "We think that the Minister of Transport i® doing a fino work, and we

should stand .behind him in the putting down of speeding," added Mr Wilkinson. "Three out of five motorists don't reduce their speed, at» all and. come through the township at' 40 miles an hour,'» said Mr G. tfWebb. Mr Wilkinson; I cohsidgr that with the deusity of traffic every precaution shpuld, be taken. If the regulation ishould be proved unreasouable-it could not be enforced. We have to take the risb- of-that. The traffic inspectors are not likely to prosecute unless a case is a detinite one- ot speeding, which is really- largely a 'case of dangerous iag"Our request; is. perfectly reasonable," said' the chairman, Mr J. Williamson. The board then decided to adhere to its previous decision. .