MOTOR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1930, Page 7

MOTOR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

CONFERENCE REPORT. MANY SUGGESTIONS DEALT WITH. WELLINGTON, February 28. 1 The conference called by the Minuter of Transport, Hon W. A. Veitcli to review the motor traffic regulations lias concluded its sittings. 'There were present representative oif municipalities and counties, of th Auckland Transport Board, the Nortl and South Island Motor Unions motor omnibus service car, moto lorry and motor trade interests, aiu tlie Main Highways Board, and Polio and Transport Departments, the repre sentatives being, in each case, thos< having a practical knowledge of tlu effect and working of the regulations The subjects dealt with were the motor vehicle regulations, dealing generally with motor traffic, the regulations relating to a motor driver’s licenses, and the number plate system, and the heavy traffic regulations relating to special speed limits, and traffic rules for heavier motor traffic. The conference considered the effect of 348 clauses of these regulations and 232 suggestions relating to the amendment of the clauses. “Taken on the whole, it is evident from this conference that the regulations are fundamentally sound, and as reasonable in their restrictions as is possible in'the circumstances,” remarked Air Veitch in making the results available. During the progress of the conference he added 1 , it became increasingly evident how valuable it was for the Government to obtain the views off officers having the practical administration of the law, those chiefly affected by it, and also various other interests closely concerned, and it was noteworthy that at all times the proceedings were most harmonious, and the whole aim appeared to be the good of the community as a whole. Speed limits occupied a good deal of the attention of the conference and the general view was that, with minor modifications, the present law was

working satisfactorily, and the polic lof the Government to restrict locr speed limits, unless the nature of roa surface of the particular condition , justified them, was a correct one. Tli r speed limits fixed for for heavy traffi 9 caused more difficulty, and while i ] was recognised that roads must be pro l tected, yet it was considered generall; that the present limits were too lov r for good roads and pneumatic tyrec ~ vehicles, as was shown by the fac > that they were honoured under thes< •, conditions more in the breach, than ir , the observance. ’ Dazzling headlights and other problems caused by night driving received very full discussion, and it was agreed that there was room for much improvement in the present conditions, Since the regulations were issued special inventions such as the double filament lamp and the dipping headlight had become popular, and it was possible that, ns a result, the present regulations were likely to be modified as far as measures for preventing the dazzle of headlights are concerned. So far ns drivers’ licenses are concerned, the various faults of the present system, particularly lack of uniformity in the standard of the test imposed, were thoroughly considered, and it was hoped that, as a result improvements would take lace. fhe number plate system was of course, now an integral part of the third-party insurance scheme, and there fore must be retained, but modifications with a view of readier recognition of numbers might be expected to follow from the conference. “The complete success of the conference is an encouragement to the Government to continue its policy of consulting all interests closely connected with any material change in £Tie law being contemplated,” said the MinistThe way is now open for making an effective revision of the motor transport regulations, and when the final draft is completed it will be refeired to all the interests concerned before being brought into operation. The principle followed in this revision is that which I indicated to the conference at the opening namely, that of a maximum amount of liberty, consistent with the safe operation of transport and the preservation of the roads.”