MOTOR VEHICLES ACT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1931, Page 3

MOTOR VEHICLES ACT

NEW REGULATIONS

COMING INTO FORCE IN JUNE.

WELLINGTON. April 15

By a Supplementary Gazette issued this morning it is notified that the

present regulations governing tip. issue of motor drivers’ licenses under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1024, will he revolted on .1 one 1 next, and on that date the new regulations, which have been gazetted, will come into force. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. The Minister of Transport, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, announces important changes in connection with conditions of issue of motor drivers’ licenses. The new regulations, states th:■ Minister, which consolidate as well as amend those at present in force, were circulated in draft form to local bodies and other interested bodies and their comments invited. As a result, some helpful criticisms wore received and, where possible, tip. suggest'd alterations have boon included in the text. The North' Island Motor Union and the South Island Motor Union are in accord with the regulations, and flic majority of local bodies expressed themselves as regarding the regulations as a big improvement on those at present in force. In addition, nearly all t.he amendments we r e'"“either up. proved by or originated with a conference held last year to consider means of reducing tli e frequency of road traffic accidents.

Speaking of the alterations, the Minister explained that the principal ones are as follows; DRIVERS’ LICENSES. An applicant for a driver’s license must declare that lie is physically able to drive safely, and if be is not prepared to give tbe necessary certificate. lie is required to obtain and submit to the licensing nuthorit-- a si.Jsfactory medical certificate. A declaration of physical fitness will require to be made with each application, ineluding renewals of existing licenses, and tip. applicant must certifv that liis bearing, sight (with glasses. if nceessary), and heart are normal, that lie is not subject to epilepsy. fits or dizziness or fainting bouts, that lie does not suffer from rheumatism in the ! ini is iso as to affect his driving capabilities, that, in the use of at least three out of four limbs he lias no disability such to affect liis capability in cent rolling a motor vehicle for that lie lias no disability in the use of either arm such as to effect, his capability, and liis application is to drive a veliHo specially designed to meet pln-siea! disability in tiie use of liis legs), and that lie is not aware of any physical j or mental disability or infirmity fi ueh | as is likely to affect liis efficiency a-s j a driver.

Tn tlie case of an applicant for a license to drive a passenger vebicl n as used for hire, a recent medical c'-rtif. caf.e on the prescribed form must he eupplied with cacli annual application. TO PREVENT ABUSES. Provision is made to prevent a known abuse of the present regulator's by making it impossible for a motorist when refused a license bv the correct local authority to obtain it from another. Others of the new re ,r "lat ions (not generally applying to holders of uf ing licences) provide H •> new drivrs must undergo simple sight and hearing tests, a comprehensive driving and an oral examination on tlm l-'vs and regulations which nnplv to dr*ving both tests and examination being basically uniform in nature thro"' 1 out the Dominion. Minimum age limits arc specified 1 twenty-0110 yenr« in the case of of passenger vehicles'" used f r ’ m and eighteen years in t!m cas,, drivers of goods motor veliicl s weigh, ing over two tons unloaded, he* t clause safeguards those drivers w’ may be under these age : imits am 1 who, were already engaged in drivn the respective type of vehicle Indore March 1, 1931. Tile genera! minimum ,age limit of fifteen years app’ms 1o all other motor drivers, and is fix"'! by thp Motor Vehicles Act. 1021. , ‘‘lt can be, definitely stated ” the Minister in conclusion, “that, f'”' any local authority wlii-'h i" the past carried out. to the F,,, l i‘s dnE'" 1

concerning motor drivers’ l , "-''J’ r "s tic will be little if any additional wor 1 - involved by the new regulations.’'