ROAD SAFETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1939, Page 3

ROAD SAFETY

RESTRICTIONS ON MOTOR CYCLISTS. SPECIAL PLATES FOR LEARNERS. The Commissioner of Transport thanking the Masterton County Council at its meeting yesterday for its views regarding road safety and motor' cycling and advising that all suggestions submitted by local authorities were referred to the Road Safety Council which adopted the following proposals endorsed at meetings of motor cyclists, as the basis for immediate action: — (1) Pillion riding: Maximum 40 m.p.h. speed limit. (2) L. plates and L licenses: (a) Beginner to be tested by license-issuing authority upon basic knowledge of controls of machine (including ability to stop, start and turn on the flat), health, eyesight, etc., and proper acquaintance with the provisions of the Road Code and Regulations; (b) L plates and provisional L licenses to be carried for three months, when a full and detailed test would I be made; (c) during probationary , period. (1) No pillion riding; (2) 40 ■m.p.h. speed limit. (3) Offenders convicted of speeding, recklessness or carelessness may be relegated to learner or restricted status and carry L plates or R plates for three months, above restrictions to apply. (4) Standard tests: That Regulation 5 of the Motor Drivers’ Regulations, 1931, be strictly enforced. (5) Warrants of fitness: That tyres, silencers (including the tota.’ elimination of the cur-out), pillion seats and footrests be included in the warrant of fitness proviso. (6) Enforcement by local bodies in built-up areas. In view of the evidence contained in the statistics, it is recommended that the question of stricter enforcement of the regulations in built-up areas be taken up with the Local Authorities. The Commissioner pointed out that an amendment to the Motor Drivers' Regulations had been made for the purpose of giving effect to the proposals for the safety of motor-cycle learners recently recommended by the Road Safety Council, and he appealed for the co-operation of the council in regard to the issue of motor drivers’ licenses to learner motor-cyclists. The Clerk, Mr J. C. D. Mackley: “This is only getting back to a suggestion by Councillor H. H. Mawley on his return from England three or four years ago.”