MAIN ROAD SPEEDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 123, 6 March 1936, Page 3

MAIN ROAD SPEEDS

TRAFFIC AT INTERSECTIONS. MOTORIST UNION DISCUSSION. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “Until our local bodies are rich enough to sign-post all side roads, I think it is a shame to whittle away the right-hand rule,” declared Mr F. W. Johnston, when the policy of motorists at- the junction of side and main roads was being discussed at the halfyearly meeting of the South Island Motor Union last evening. There was some divergence of opinion on whether motorists on main roads, particularly the Pictoli-Bluff highway, were required to slow down to 15 miles an hour at intersections and give way to traffic on the right. The upshot of the discussion was the following resolution : “In view of the many serious accidents which have occurred, it should be the duty of this union to do all possible in eliminating road danger. To this end, it recommends associations to give special consideration lo devising and improving road signs and to send their recommendations to the union, so that it might bring down a report at its next meeting.” “The chief efficiency of the righthand rule is in cicies, towns, and boroughs,” said Mr E. J. Anderson, of Otago. “There are special speed conditions on the Picton-Bluff highway, and a motorist is justified in striking a blind intersection at 50 miles an hour, provided ho lias an efficient vehicle, properly shod and equipped. The regulation which the motorists had passed to permit them to go at any speed is inconsistent with the regulation, which requires them to slow down to 15 miles an hour at intersections. But the man coming into the greater stream of traffic should have the greater onus of care.” Mr Anderson went on to say that in cities, towns, and boroughs it was the duty of the motorists to protect the right-hand rule, “but,” he said, “ I suggest it does not apply in the country as Mr Johnston would have that it does.” He concluded by saying that Otago wanted the main highway user protected. After some further discussion, Mr C. M. Rout (Nelson) moved the motion set out above. This was seconded by Mr J. R. Haigh (Southland) and carried.