MOTOR REGULATIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5208, 25 November 1927, Page 4

MOTOR REGULATIONS.

MANY NEW OFFENCES. SOME LEADING FEATURES. The outstanding feature of the new draft motor regulations is their number, the creation of many new offences hitherto unknown to the law and the provision of a uniform penalty up to £■so for any breach. Under the old Motor Regulation Act in force until 1924 the maximum penalty was £5. The general penalty under ( the Motor Vehicles Act cf 1924 was fixed at £lO, but, this yeai s amendment has increased it to £5O. There is a similar penalty for a driver who blows his horn while his vehicle is stationary ; a driver who omits to have locked nuts or split pins on all axle-springs, steering and brake attachments ; a driver with dipping headlights, and similarly liable is a driven- who dims his lights. The maximum penalty of £5O also applies to tlie offender who uses a opot-light to see a house number or a sign at the side of the road ; a driver who has a smoky exhaust; a motor-cyclist who allows a pillion passenger to ride in any position except astride; a similar penalty for removing “either hand from the steering wheel.” unless the vehicle is under “full control”; also a penalty of £5O for not removing on?, hand to give signals. There is a penalty of £5O for “interrupting the way” of any “ceremonial procession,” and no definition of what constitutes a ceremonial procession l and or what constitutes Interrupting the way. Furthe offences with maximum penalties of £5O include Stopping within 15ft of a fire plug; leaving an unlighted motor vehicle on a prescribed parking place at night, unless it is within 30ft of a street lamp. The powers given to police and traffic officers are remarkably wide. For example, any police or traffic officer can at any time stop any motor vehicle and test the brakes. HEADLIGHTS. The clause dealing with dazzling headlights states : “ Every headlight attached to any motor vehicle which displays a beiam of light' of a confusing or dazzling nature, or of a brilliance so intense as to affect the visions of persons of normal vision approaching it, shall be so focussed and adjusted that when the vehicle is standing on a level surface, tht main beam of light is projected to a height which at a distance of 75ft. from the lamp is not more than 3ft. 6in above the surface.

This is a. point on which the public will look to the Motor Traders’ Association for an expert opinion as to (1) whether headlights on all makes of motor vehicles in use in the Dominion can be so adjusted without expense, or if with various makes expense is involved, what it would amount, to ; and (2) the efficacy of such adjustment in eliminating dazzle and still adequately illuminating the roadway ahead. Another provision in the new regulations is that every vehicle must have, a rear red reflector attached in addition to a tail-light, though the reflector may form part of the taillight. A welcome clause is that fixing a universal time for lighting up at half an hour after sunset.

The uniform speed limits- provided are a new and very desirable provision not appearing in the 1925 draft. There is, first of all, a general provision that a motor vehicle must not be driven at such speed that iti cannot stop in' half the sight distance of clear road ahead. This means that two vehicles, travelling in opposite directions at the same. speed, and meeting on a. bend, must be capable of stopping before reaching each other. It is a reasonable requirement.

The fixed speed limits are, briefly, as follows :—

Maximum speed on- any road (not to be exceeded Over more than a quarter of a mile). 35 m.p.h. Maximum speed in any borough or town district. 25 m.pJh.

Past schools, hospitals, read workmen, and across intersections with 90 feet view down the side roads before reaching them, 15 m.p.h. Through tunnels, round curves with lees than 60' feiet view ahead, or w"Tien passing any stationary bus headed in the same direction-, 10 m.p.h. Provision is made that no local body may fix a lower speed limit than those set out above without first securing the approval of the Minister of Public Works. A useful addition to this clause, would ba an intimation that no Real by-law shall impose a limit below 15 m.p.h. on any of its streets (except at corners, etc.).