WAIOEKA VALLEY ROUTE

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 120, 9 December 1938, Page 3

WAIOEKA VALLEY ROUTE

DANGERS OF SPEEDING NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS MOTORISTS’ SUGGESTIONS “We do not want to scare people from coming) oiver the valley road, but I know for a fact that insurance companies have more accident claims in the Waiooka Valley than anywhere else,” said Air. M. F.\ Forster on Tuesday afternoon at the molding of the Gisborne advisory committee ol the Automobile Association. (Auckland), when proposing that the association bo asked to cencentrato on the gorge route with warning notices owing ti> the large numher of mishaps. He expliiiinod that the majority of the accidents occurred at corners and mostly were caused by • one vehicle travellingi ton fast. The first year the valley route was opened one company had more accident claims than it had had for I I years on the old Alntu highway:

Asked how many warning signs wore l in. the Waiuuka, the resident patrol, Mr. I). All. McGregor, said there were several of the standard type and that some special signs were now being prepared for the holiday traffic, and Would he of the talkie-sign type, such n.s—“Holiday Traffic!”— "Do Not Cut Corners’Keep to the Left on Bends”—“Watch Your Speedometer.” Those signs were to be erected for tbo benefit of traffic outwardbound from Gisborne, but it might be possible to have further similar signs made for the Waiooka.

“Not Really Dang®rous Route" “The road is not a dangerous cue for those travelling at a moderate speed,” xniid Air. Forster, in. proposing the motion, which was seconded by Mr. A. Baillie. Members agreed that a speed ml 25 m.p.h. .was quite last enough as ail average when going through )ho valley, but decided to suggest no maximum speed when the* patrol explained that some of the corners could not be negotiated safely at a speed of over $ m.p.h. and that motorists should be allowed' to use their discretion. Tlu* chairman, Mv. E. Tulerton: 'There are; too many people driving cars who. should not he doing so. When Mr. Forster said that in some cases motorists attempted in register good travelling times between Gisborne and Opntiki a member said lie had heard of a man who did the Gi:i-borm-Auekland trio in H) hours, the Gisborne-Opotiki section being covered in 2.) hours. It was unanimously agreed that a person such as this was a menace to the travelling public. The motion was carried. While dealing: with the quest ion ol road' signs, the suggestion of Mr. 11. H. De Costa that the wording of one he had seen in America during his recent tour—“ Stop to think, and think to stop”—be sent to Auckland was ulloptei I.