DUAL CONTROL OF MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Shannon News, 15 May 1928, Page 2

DUAL CONTROL OF MOTOR TRAFFIC.

POSITION EXPLAINED BY COUNTY CHAIRMAN. The question of motor speeds was briefly under consideration at the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday, when a letter was received from the Waipa County Council, asking for support to resolutions: (1) Protesting against the action of the Government in passing resolutions which restrict the powers of County Councils to make by-laws fixing the speed limit of motor vehicles for the purpose of preserving the roads, i (2) seeking an amendment of the Public Works Act enabling local authorities to make by-laws restricting the speed of such vehicles. The Chairman said that, although the regulations had been fixed under the Motor Vehicles Act, there was no reason why a local body could not have its own by-law if approved by the Minister. “We want some common bylaw or regulation covering speed limits,” he added. “It would be disastrous for the travelling public local bodies if each body had a different set of speed limits, a The regulations are framed liberally, allowing up to 35 miles an hour. This is more often exceeded than otherwise, but on an open road it is not a great danger. In townships it is reduced to 25 miles and in the neighbourhood of schools to 15 miles an hour.” In moving that the letter be received, the chairman said he could not recommend £hat the Waipa resolution be supported altogether, becatfso he believed it would be better to have regulations governing the whole country than one particular district. The motion was seconded by Cr. Kilsby. , t Cr. Jensen said that people who came out of by-roads should be protected. Motorists passed many of these roads without blowing the horn. The Council ought to have control over the traffic at certain places. The Chairman: Have you seen tjie regulations? Cr. Jensen: No.

The Chairman: If you put up notices under those regulations, all right; they have been very carefully framed; they give you power to reduce speed at certain spots.

Cr. Jensen: Then the sooner it is done the better. The time has come when we should bo a little more particular. There is a great loss of life. The motion was carried.