MOTOR TRAFFIC

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 328, 15 September 1932, Page 2

MOTOR TRAFFIC

NEW REGULATIONS MAXIMUM SPEED OF FORTY MILES PER HOUR PROYIDED FOR. DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSALS Dr.aft copies of the proposed consolidated and amended motor vehicle regulations are being circulated by the Transport Department amongst local authorities and other interested parties in order to give an opportunity for comments or suggestions before the regulations are "gazetted." Prohably the most generally intsresting section of the proposed regulations relates to the speed of motor vehicl'es. Under the existing regulation th'ere is no ahsolute maximum speed limit for motor vehicles, and it is now proposed to prescribe that the maximum speed for any motor vehicle shall he 40 miles per hour. The effect of this restriction would be that the maximum speed of the private car would he reduced, hut the res+->"-~L" would not affect commercial vehicles of a gross weight of two tons and over, as they are already subject to the requirement. Effiect of High Speed.

The Commissioner of Transport (Mr. J. S. Hunter) points out that in eonsidering this proposal it should he rememhered that high -speeds for motor vehicles mean: — • 1. High road maintenance costs — As the amount of money available for this purpose has been seriously curtailed, it is to be expected that under high speeds the gravel and metal road surfaces will deteriorate, with the result that speeds will, of necessity, have to he reduced, and owing to rougher road surfaces, motor vehicle operating costs will be increased. 2. Increased danger on roads. — The rural roads of this country are in general unsuitahle for high speeds as regards surface, .alignment, and width. After an investigation as to the canses of road accidents in California, it was asserted that speeds in exeess of the State iallowable maximum of 40 miles per hour are always dangerous. 3. Increased vehicle operating costs. — -An increase of the speed of the average private car from 30 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour rosults in an increase in the cost per mile of petrol and lubrieating oil by 70 per cent., while the tyre and repair- costs are also materially increased. An Interesting Analysis. "The only valid reason against speed restrictions," states the Commissioner, "is that they mean increased travelling time, and it should be rememhered that all service cars, motor-omnibuses and goods vehicles over two tons gross weight, where the tirae factor is of importance, would not be affected by the proposed amendment, as they are already subject to speed restrictions. The maximum speed for the lightest passenger service vehicle is 35 miles per hour. "Of the total mileage run by private cars and light trucks, approximately 37 per cent. is run within boroughs and town distriets where, in most cases, speeds are already restricted to 25 miles per hour, and, therefore, approximately 63 per cent. of the mileage is run on rural roads. On these roads, it is estimated that at least 25 per cent. of the mileage run would have to be travelled at restrictsd speeds, owing to road conditions, leaving only 47 per cent. of the total annual mileage run by these vehicles where the proposed speed restrictions would apply. On an assumed annual mileage of 5000 miles, the extra time involved in travelling due to the proposed amendment would amount to only eight hours in twelve months." Brakes and Road Rules In addition to a number of amendments and alterations of more or less minor importance, the circular draws particular attention to proposals in respect to brakes and the rules of the road. The regulations at present provide that no person shall continue to operate a motor-vehicle, if, when such vehicle is travelling at 20 miles per hour, the foot brake is not capable of bringing the vehicle to rest within a distance of 50 feet, and the hand brake within 75 feet! lln view of the large number of motor ' accidents and the faet that four-wheel brakes are standard equipment on the majority of cars and small commercial trucks now being produced, it is considered that the brake requirements should be made more rigid, and the stopping distanees have therefore been reduced to 40 feet for the foot brake and 60 feet for the hand brake. It is also to be noted that the proposal does not give the special concession to goods vehicles over three tons gross weight given in the present regulations. The Gvertaking Rule. The existing regulations as to the overtaking and passing of motorvehicles at corners is of little practical assistance to motorists, and the new proposal provides that no motor ist shall overtake or attempt to pass a vehicle travelling in the same direetion at or within £50 feet of any corner, unless he has a clear view of the road for a distance of 300 feet. The Department requests that any comments on the proposals be forwarded before the end of September, in order that the views expressed may he placed before a conference which would consider the regulations before they are finalised.