THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JULY 28, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 28 July 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JULY 28, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

, Regulation of s Motor Traffic. For some years past the motor traffic on the main roads through this district has been steadily growing, until it has , reached enormous proportions, so much so that local bodies have come to realise that the matter is of serious ' moment to them, f iml that they will have to take drastic steps to cope with the great strain imposed on the roads. Since the curtailment of the railway service the inotpr traffic has increased very considerably, and the motor lorries and big’motor cars used for express passenger service are tearing up the roads - woe fully. This is not the worst, however, for many of the motor drivers arc most reckless, and the speed at which motor- are driven is a constant menace to the public safety. Complaints reach us practically every day of the excessive speed at which the mail vans and passenger cars pass through this district. There is at Otaki one of the most dangerous crossings in the whole run along the coast, viz., at the Otaki railway station, and we have the authority of a reliable motorist that these through ears frequently pass this dangerous crossing at: about forty miles an hour, whereas a notice appears at the spot to the effect that speed of ears must be reduced to twelve miles. The County Engineer reported to the Horowhenua County Council, at its last meeting, that these express cars were travelling at about fifty miles an hour along the main roads, and we are told by others that this is not an exaggeration. At the Otaki railway bridge, which is a narrow thoroughfare, with insufficient space for two vehicles to pass, motorists frequently tear across the bridge at breakneck speed, totally regardless of what traffic is in the vicinity, and the wonder is. that we have not had to report a fatality ere this. The Horowhenua County roads have suffered fearfully as a result of the extra traffic since the ‘‘cut** in the railway service, while we are informed that, the Hurt and Makara roads have fared even worse. The matter is a most serious- one. that demands prompt action, and the local bodies more particularly affected should take united action, more particularly as regards the dangerous travelling at high speed. Those who use the main roads should be compelled to travel at a lower rate of speed, and to observe the restrictions as regards reduced speed at crossings. ' ’-s; and other dangerous place;. bnu e . ~~