MOTOR DRIVERS’ LICENSES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1930, Page 3

MOTOR DRIVERS’ LICENSES

f TIGHTENING THE TEST. ■;i 1 - Under the new regulations proposed, licensing authorites are asked to tighten the test in advance of the regulations being adopted, so as to give greater security. Regarding the passing of future applicants for motor drivers’ licenses, the test ,jyill now be on much stricter lines in the Westland County and Boroughs of Hokitika and Ross. There.,a re to be the following tests: and hearing tests. (2) A test of the knowledge of traffic laws. (3) Practical driving tests.

Regarding (1) The examiner shall satisfy hinuelf as to applicants eyesight, and the distance at which small objects ahead may be picked' up, i».idJjjdiiigi an estimate:, of the actual distance. ''■-Regarding hearing the applicant must hear each word uttered in ordinary tones at a distance of 10 feet.

Regarding (2) Questions are to be asked and answered satisfactorily in respect to sections 27 to 33 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924. A copy of the sections appears below. Applicant jpust.show,familiarity with tile correct driving : signals: also the duty of drivers' at - railway level crossings. Regarding (3) applicant must show satisfactory proficiency in respect to th,e ..following points:— 1 . Ability in starting engine and driving ahead; . Estimation of speed and distance; Knowledge of, practical!:G'application of brakes; Ability in AtphpiiJg'VphiVffe (a) at a given mark; (h) within the shortest distance without warning; . Knowledge of gears and gear changing; Ability in starting vehicle on steep slope (approximately 1 in 10 gradient). Ability in driving (including changing gear) on hills; Ability in driving in traffic (if possible, to include trams and controlled intersections) ; demeanour while driving (confident or nervous, etc). Ability in turning vehicle in narrow street; . (a) Ability in reversing out of har-row-lane, turning vehicle, and agaifi reversing for at least 2oyds distance into same lane; ;(b)..Ability to make minor adjustments and repairs; ~ i (c) General knowledge to- topo--efrapliv, streets, etc of district. .. Nat<i. Ttem fa) docs not apply to motor cycles - . . Items '(b) and (c) apnly only .to anplicants to drive vehicles Vised for hire. • -AfOTOR. VEHICLES ACT. 1924.

Extracts, 1 ; knowledge of which must be shown by applicants for Motor drivers - licenses : J. ... EveryVperroh-'tOaihnts a crime, and is liable on indictment to imnrisonB meiit ♦ for-'a ■■■ tferrii- hot "ex'cet ding five ydits’ op 'to a“ fine hot-exceeding five oonrids;’ who recklessly or. negligently drives' a-ny motor-vehicleand thereby causes 1 bddilv injury to' or the death of Any person, or who while in a state of - intoxication is'in charge of a motorvehicle and by an act or omission; in relation thereto causes bodily injury to or the death of any person.

(2), Tt shall be no defence to .an Indictment for the crime of manslaughter that the guilty act or omiskion proved again!# the" person charged' upon such indictment, "is an Act or omission constituting, a crime under this section. ~ (1). Every person commits an offence.,, and is liable on summary conviction to, a fine of one .hundred pounds gr to imprisonment for three months, who,,recklessly or negligenty drives a motor-vehicle on any road, or other place /to which the public have access whether as, of right or not, or who drives any such vehicle at a speed or in a manner which, having regard to •lill/ the. circumstances of the case, is or might, be dangerous to ; .the public,' o.r;.wh,o\while iu.a state of ; intoxication is. in., charge of any motor-vehicle on any such road, streets,, oik place. ' ;(?•)• Any- constable - nioy, arrest with* pii.t,.jvarrant any person whp while' hia state,of intoxication charge of any mator-yehicje. in .contravention * of this, section.

shall he nov. defence/ i>, » proceedings for an offence .under section fwfnty.-,seven of- section, twenty-eight, hereof that at thp time of the alleged offence the motor-vehicle was l;ein»r driven, at a speed not exceeding the maximum speed (if any) limited hinny, public authority in respect of th n road, street, or locality, where the alleged offence was committed.

(1) 'When any person is convicted of an offence under section twentyseven or section twenty-eight hereof the person so convicted may as part of the sentence be ordered to pay a sum. not exceeding £SO in am- case. as compensation to any person who mav have suffered bodily injury by reason of the, act or default of the person convicted, or to the dependants of amperson, who mav have been killed by reason of such act or default.

/4jt) Any amount so ordered to he paid shall be recoverable in the same manner ill all., respect as if .it were a fine, and shall, when recovered. L n naid without further anproprintion in accordance wit'} the order.

' (3) The making or enforcement of an/order for navment of compensation under this section shall not affect ti e right. of -a n v nerson to recover an r damages to which be mav he entitl# indeiv'iid r 'ntlv of this section, hut in assessing su b damages any pi,aliens navidde under this section shall h~ taken into aor.ount.

(1) Where an accident arising directly or indirectly from the use of a motor-vehicle occurs to any person, or to any horse or vehicle , in charge of any person, the driver of the motor-vehicle shall stop, and if required, shall give to any constable, or to any person concerned, his name and address, and also the name and .address of the owner and the registered number and the distinguished mark or marks of the motor-vehicle.

(2) In any such accident involving injury to any person it shall be the duty of the driver of the motor-veh-icle to render all practicable assistance, and, if the accident has not already been reported to a. constable, the driver shall fortbw'tb report the same at the nearest police station. (3) Every person who fails to comply with any obligation imposed on him by this section commits an offepc-e, and is liable to a fine of twenty pounds. (1) The driver of a motor-vehicle shall stop at the request or signal of any constable, or of any person duly appointed, to control or inspect traffic, and on demand shall give his name and address, and, if lie is not the owner of the motor-vehicle, shall also give the name and address of the owner. Any driver who on demand fails to stop, or refuses to give any such name or address or gives a false name or address, commits an offence against this Act, and may be arrested by any constable without warrant.

(2) The owner of any motor-veh-icle shall, on being informed c,f any offence alleged to have been committed by the driver of such motorvehicle. while; in charge thereof (whether such offence, is an offence against this Act or any other Act, or against any regulation or by-law made upder, any Act), and on being requested so to do by any constable or by any person duly appointed to control or inspect traffic, give all information in liis possession which may lead to the identification and apprehension of the driver, and if the owner fails so to do lie commits an offence against this Act. If the number of any distinguished mark or marks to be affixed to a motor-vehicle in accordance with this Act are in anv way obscured, or are rendered or allowed to become not easily distinguishable, whether by night or by day, any person driving the motor-vehicle while any such condition continues shall lie guilty of an offence against this Act. The fourth Monday in each month is being set apart as examination day for drivers’ licenses. All appointment* will be made from the County Office, Hokitika.