MOTOR SPEED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5262, 13 April 1928, Page 2

MOTOR SPEED.

HAURAKI PLAINS LIMITS. BY-LAWS ALTERED. A special meeting of tlie Hauruaki Plains County Council was held prior to they ordinary meeting yesterday to consider the speed limit for motor vehicles in tlie county ami, if thought advisable, to paps- a resolution to operate as a special order to amend tlie existing speed limits.

Notice of motion to rescind two resolutions authorising thq alteration of limits as decided ;n November last had; been given by Mr Walton, and this was done.

In reply to Cr. Harris the eingineer said that tlie speed of motors-was the largest contributing factor in the forming of corrugations on the roads. This was proved by the fact that within a couple of chains of corners or intersections, where motorists slowed down their speed, there were no corrugations. The corrugations were general throughout the Dominion on gravel roads which promoted speeding.

In reply to Cr. Reid tlie engineer said that he considered the limit of 39 miles an hour was tdie limit of safety on the roads in the 'county.

The chairman read the National Traffic Regulations, and said that they gave a lead to the county. The, point was whetflier there was any factor in, Hauraki Plains to justify an alteration in these limits. Cr. Harris urged that the moving surface of the red roads constituted a danger to those travelling at (high speeds.

Cr. Miller said that in fixing the limits the council wais not directing motorists to drive at those speeds if they thought it dangerous. Cr. Fisher supported the national limits.

Cr. Walton pointed out that motorists had to be given due consideration, seeing tlhat they contributed twofifths of the, cost 'of the roads. Referring to service cars, Cr. Fisher said that generally they were very competent drivers who, while they drove fast, gave others every confederation and slowed down when there was any danger threatening. Members agreed that speeds should be restricted by local regulations through the small townships on the Plains, as there were no footpaths, and the national regulations did not provide for these small settlements but gave the right to deal with the matter to the local bodies. After a free discussion it was decided to make by-laws limiting the speed to 15 miles an hour ivihin 10 chains 'of a school ; to 20 miles an hour w.itliin notices denoting townships. and throughout the county to 35 miles an hour.

On tlie ground that 35 mijes an hour was too high Crs. Harris, Hicks, Reid, and Parfitt voted against the motion.