MOTORISTS CONFER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 129, 14 March 1939, Page 2

MOTORISTS CONFER

QUESTION OF SAFETY GLASS.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS. (Per Press Association). NELSON, March 13. Whether the use of safety glass on the windscreens and all windows of cars was desirable was discussed at the halfyearly meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day. The secretary (Mr P. Harvey) said that at the Grey mouth meeting the Union decided to press for the use of safety glass in the windows and windscreens of all cars. A motion had previously been passed in favour of safety glass in windscreens only. Dr. Gibbs (Nelson) said he thought the previous idea should bo revised. He was not satisfied that the Union’s decision to insist in safety glass all round was a wise one. He would like to be able to get out of a car if it got into deep water. This was a matter that the public wanted some guidance on. He moved that the resolution recommending the insistence on safety glass throughout be rescinded. Mr J. Palliser (South Canterbury) seconded the motion. Mr Harley (Canterbury) said he was in agreement with the views expressed Mr Hawkes (executive) said that there was a glass which collapsed, but did not cut. Dr. Smythe (Marlborough) said there seemed to he some difference as to what safety glass would really do. Numbers of accidents were caused by cuts, not only by windscreens, but also by side-windows. He could vouch for the fact' that safety glass did not cut. Mr Lightband (chairman) said they all desired to do the right thing, and he thought the latter suggestion was a good one. It was better to wait and see how the North Island Motor Union viewed the previous decision. Dr. Gibbs suggested amending the motion to read : “That no action be taken pending a conference with the North Island Motor Union.”

Mr Palliser agreed to the amendment. Mr Main (North Otago) said he would like it to be thought that they dissented from their previous opinion. It was agreed to defer the question till the North Island Motor Union had discussed it. Mr W. Gillies (North Otago) moved that the Commissioner of Transport be urged to complete the matter of a suitable indicator for pedestrian crossings as early as possible. Mr Gillies said that signs became faint, and visiting motorists could not see them. The chairman said it resited with the Transport Department to approve of the recommendations already made, and embody them in the regulations. The remit was amended to read “triangular indicators.” Mr Grayson suggested enlarging Lhe remit by asking for the completion of the suggestions already approved bv both motor, unions. The remit, with the addition suggested by Mr Grayson, was adopted. Mr W. H. Wynyard, representative of the Main Highways Board, said the engineers in various districts bad been instructed to confer with the association about which corners should be marked with double lines as an indication of special danger. He advised the association to communicate with the engineers. A motion aimed at prohibiting dogs in motor camps was lost, ibut it was decided to include in the Union’s handbook a similar reference to dogs as was contained in the North Island Union’s handbook. Representations will be made for a stricter enforcement of the regulations about the size of caravans and other conditions. The need for periscopes when the rear vision was obscured was also emphasised.