RIGHT OF THE ROAD

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1926, Page 1

RIGHT OF THE ROAD

FIRE-ENGINE PRIVILEGE. WELLINGTON, September 9. A big question was raised at a meeting of the Wellington Fire Board today when a letter was received from the Invercargill Eire Board concerning j the Brigade's right of the road when proceeding to fires. “ In view of the accidents which have recently occurred throughout New Zealand and tlie Supreme Court’s decision to the effect that fire engines have no more claim to any exemption than any other vehicles, this Board has decided to communicate with the Minister for Internal Affairs and request him favourably to consider the advisability of making the necessary provision to ensure fire engines having the right of the road when proceeding to fires.” read tiie letter. “The Board also decided to communicate with the principal Fire Boards throughout New Zealand and request that they make representations to the Minister in this matter with a view to having some provision made which, if not eliminating the risk of accident, will minimise that risk.” This lot tor did not find favour with the Wellington Board.

“1 think that it is a very dangerous tiling,” said Councillor M. F. Luckie, “ ami, speaking from the standpoint of a citizen and not as a member of tbe Board. 1 am not prepared to agree to it for a moment. There is always a risk of a provision such as this leading the men w’*o drive the vehicles to imagine that it doesn’t matter twopence wlmt they do.” The chairman (Mr C. .T. B. Norwood): I don't know of any similar .provision anywhere else, though there is one. 1 believe, for ambulances. Ml- D. E. Wilkie: 1 funk that there is a provision in Sail Francisco which leaves the road clear for police cars and tiro brigades on the sounding of the warning bell. The Chairman: Wlin.t does the Superintendent think about it? Do they clear the way for the Brigade now ? Tlie Superintendent: They do clear the way when they hear our siren, but in those narrow streets they can’t always do it at once. The Chairman: They do now what they would do under this proposed rule ? Oh. yes. Councillor Luckie remarked that the effect of the adoption of the Invercargill Board’s suggestion would he to bring them near to the Parisian rule of the road where the whole of the street between footpath and footpath belonged to vehicular traffic and a man bad no right on tbe road at all. Councillor IT. D. Bennett: Tt will never got through Parliament. It was decided not to support the request. IB3SSB®BBaWKZHiOE!fiS!JUEBJ<IEIEI3erxaRWO