MOTOR REGULATIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5209, 28 November 1927, Page 2

MOTOR REGULATIONS.

PLAINS BY-LAWS ALTERED.

SPEED LIMITS RAISED.

Th© principal business of the meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council which was held last Thursday, was to consider the revision of the sections of the by-laws referring to speeds of motors.

As instructed by the council at the previous meeting, the engineer and the clerk reported as follows on the f,actors to be taken into consideration against fixing a high .maximum speed f* for motors: Narrowness of roads in the county; formation of roads in this county, i.e., camber; proximity of drains to roadways; absence of run-off between roads and drains; preponderance in numbers of light cars difficult to control at. high speeds over heavier types of cars more easily’ controlled at higher speeds ; volume of traffic on narrow roads, and presence of school children on open roads, there being no footpaths or sidewalks ; farmers driving cattle across roads and along roads from paddock tip paddock. The factors to be considered in favour of raising the existing speed limit were as follows: Exceptional visibility ahead through fewness of curves; fewness of intersections • flatness of curves ; exceptionally good visibility’ at intersections generally. The Public Works Department has sumitted draft regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act for suggestions of addition from local bodies. Under these regulators it is proposed to establish national rules for motorists which, however, may be varied by local bodies by the placing of standardised s'gns. In the absence of these signs the national regulations will apply in all cases. In view of these proposed regulations the council will no doubt suspend any action until they ar© finally legalised. Cr. Harrirs suggested that the council approve the draft regulations. Asked his opinion, the engineer said that he had had over 20 years of driving experience, and was of the opinion that no driver could safely control a light car on the roads of Hauraki Plains at a greater speed than 30 miles an hour.

Cr. Reid, the owner of a car with a left-hand drive which he had acquired for a special purpose, drew attention to the clause prohibiting cars with left-hand drive.

Cr. Harris said that representations could be made prohibiting the importation of cars with left-hand drive but allowing cars now in use to continue.

Respecting the speed limits, councillors expressed the opinion that, the council should not alter its by-laws until *the legulations under the Motor Vehicles Act were finalised. It was agreed to examine the bylaws of the county with a view to ascertaining any points which required alteration. It was decided to take steps to amend by-law 5?, altering the maximum speed limit from 28 miles an < hour to 35 miles an hour. Thei next danse dealt with was tion “d” of by-law 54, limiting the speed through townships to 15 miles • an hour.

It was argued that differences should be made at special places to meet local conditions. It was decided that the limit past schools be 15 miles, and 20 miles an hour through townships, around bends, across intersections, or when meeting or passing vehicular traffic.

No other alterations were considered necessary.