TRAFFIC CONTROL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 159, 18 April 1936, Page 3

TRAFFIC CONTROL

LEGISLATION BEING PREPARED. MINISTER OUTLINES PLANS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 17.

The plans of the Minister of Transport (Hon. 11. Semple), for the reorganisation of the transport system of New Zealand are embodies in three Bills which are to be introduced to Parliament this session. The first will replace the existing licensing system, the second will deal with the regulation of traffic, and the third will provide for new control of main highways. “The first Bill will abolish the Transport Co-ordination Board,” said the Minister in an interview to-night, “and will place the issuing of licenses in the hands of four men, one ill each of the four centres. These men have not yet been selected, but we are looking for men with a sound knowledge of transport, an understanding of the law of evidence, and men who are fearless in their judgment. This Bill is at the present time in the hands of the law draftsmen, and should be introduced within the next fortnight.” The second Bill, dealing with the regulation of traffic, will be in the nature of amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act. One of its principal aims will be the tightening up of the safety by-laws. The Minister stated that there were 303 local bodies in the Dominion, each of which had a different set of by-laws, and what he was aiming at was uniformity, with avoidance of confusion. He favoured the control of traffic by the State, either through the Police Department, or by the appointment of competent and qualified inspectors. Tlie Minister indicated that the Bill would provide for a speed limit of 30 miles an hour in boroughs, town districts and other localities specifically declared by the Minister, except where specially provided for. This provision would replace the varying speed, restrictions at present in force. It is also intended to increase the penalty for hit-and-run motorists to a'maximum of imprisonment for five years or a fine of £SOO. This clause will place the hit-and-run driver in the same cateogry as a drunken driver who causes injury or death. The maximum penalty for general offences will be increased from £lO to £SO, .and the existing powers will be extended to cover pedestrian and other non-motor traffic, so that general traffic-regula-tions may be issued to cover the whole 'Dominion.

The Bill will also provide for the Minister to disallow any local traffic by-laws, and it will be made an offence for a motorist to drive without reasonable consideration for other, road users. This section will replace many of the present confusing regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act. All breaches which now come under the heading of dangerous driving and negligent driving will be covered by a charge of inconsiderate driving.

The third Bill will embody the proposals of the Minister for the control of all main arterial roads by the Main Highways Board. This will relieve local bodies of this responsibility and will enable them to devote greater attention to the maintenance’ of secondary highways.