MOTOR CAR TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 59, 3 April 1909, Page 6

MOTOR CAR TRAFFIC.

i EXCESSIVE AN I) DANCKItOUS SPEED. At the Cliftou County Council meeting yesterday the chairman, Mr J. W. Foreman, referred to the very majiy complaints concerning the reckless and inconsiderate driving of motor-cars on the county roads. These people, he said, seemed to have an idea that tin' whole road belonged to them. It was reported in the public press that recently a car travelled from Xew Plymouth to Waitara, ten miles, in sixteen minutes, and from Waitara to Uronui, about a similar distance, in fifteen minutes, lie could not help thinking that this was a very dangerous pace on the steep, winding, and narrow portions ot the roads in this locality, and if this rate of travelling or anything approaching it, was going to become a regular thing, there was going to be a very serious accident sooner or later. The question presented itself, could not the local bodies do something to check what was becoming a nuisance and a menace to the safety of the travelling public? lie suggested that the whole of the Taraitui counties should confer, with the idea of arriving at regulations which would define ail imifoTui |iennissible speed throughout the province. liy-laws, if not already in existence, should lie made to deal with the matter.

Councillor Mackenzie agreed, and laid stress upon the dangers to which people were subjected by motorists travelling fast down the Unacro Hill. Councillor (J'Sullivan said it would not be so bad if the drivers would give a warning. The other day he hail had a narrow escape on the' Ouaeru bill, a ear gliding noiselessly down and startling bis horse. Had the car been travelling fast, he must have been driven down the bank. Councillor Hunter suggested circularising all county councils on the circular authorised in connection with differential rales as security for local bodies' loans. The chairman said it would be bettor to confine the matter to the Taranaki counties, where the conditions were much the same throughout. County •Councils in Canterbury and Manawatu districts, on whose long straight stretches of level roads a great speed might lie safely maintained, would n"t lie likely to conform to regulations made for roads in Taranaki. lie thought much danger would be obviated by cliauU'eiirs sounding the horn on dangerous or winding roads and in tuining miners. He had heard them " tooting " for the fun of scaring people. He explained that be had no hostility towards motor-car traffic. It was the modem .mil a very comfortable way uf- travelling, and motor-ears would continue on the increase; but there was the safety of the public to consider. Councillor Kennington remarked on the damage done to the roads by ears travelling along them at such an'cxccssive speed.