LATEST AMERICAN LAWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 112, 2 August 1927, Page 11

LATEST AMERICAN LAWS

WORN OUT CARS ARE DANGEROUS Two American States have just officially recognised the menace of the ! decrepit automobiles on the highways of those States, and have made provision to have them ruled off the roads, according to information given out by the National Automobile Club.

The first State to undertake the removal of this highway menace, as most motor clubs designate their ancient machines, was Massachusetts, which by a decision of its Supreme Court has dealt this menace a severe blow. At about the same time the Governor of Pennsylvania signed a Bill which gives the motor vehicle authorities of the State the power to regulate the operation of vehicles deemed to be unsafe. PRECEDENT SET That the motor vehicle is a dangerous weapon, and that the State has power to enforce regulations looking toward its proper control in the interests of public safety, was the ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The effect of this ruling may be far-reaching. It means that States may take steps to prevent the operation of motor vehicles that are so far . gone mechanically that they constitute a menace to other motorists and to the general public. It means that States may take more stringent measures to regulate cars in the field of proper braking facilities, tyre equipment. and the like. Many an accident is the result of neglect of the mechanical parts of the car. it is j pointed out by the club. Steering knuckles that are properly lubricated seldom break; tyres that are not within the danger limits of wear are not particularly susceptible to puncture: wheel bearings do not fail when they are properly attended to at regular periods. Such legislation or interpretation of the law such as this is certainly a step in the right direction. LAW PASSED ; Pennsylvania is also out after the auto cripples. Under the new code, which has just received the signature of the governor, the superintendent of the motor vehicle department “may suspend the registration of any motor vehicle deemed unsafe or unfit to be operated or not equipped as required by law.” This regulation will clean the highways of Pennsylvania of decrepit machines that are a menace to traffic, according to the National Automobile Club. The plan for enforcement of the i new code, which will go into effect j on the first day of next year, includes brake inspection and the equipment 1 of cars with a windshield wiper that

ensures clear vision at all times. The new code is flexible enough to , permit the use of common sense in its enforcement, and it will probably not work a hardship on anyone. It is certainly in the interests of safety to exclude from the highways and the city streets all machines that con stitute a menace to the travelling public.