REAR LIGHT ON CYCLES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 71, Issue 6, 18 October 1950, Page 6

REAR LIGHT ON CYCLES

TRAFFIC INSTITUTE SUGGESTION

APPROACH TO MINISTER

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 17. Members of the New Zealand Traffic Institute agreed at the annual conference to-day that Cycles should be equipped with a rear reflector and mudguard. The Institute decided to recommend to the Minister of Transport (the Hon. W. S. Goosman) that the traffic regulations be amended accordingly. The present regulation states that a cycle may be fitted with a rear light or a red reflector and white mudguard.

It was decided to recommend to Mr Goosman that the regulations dealing with cycle lights provide that the beam from the lamp be deflected in such a manner that it would not interfere with the vision of an oncoming driver or rider. Christchurch and Invercargill delegates said the newer types of cycles had powerful types of headlights which could be adjusted at all angles. Some cyclists, they considered, used these lights deliberately .to dazzle motorists.

Pedestrians could “jay walk,” fail to comply with the directions of a traffic officer, loiter on crossings and fail. to use the footpath, yet were not bound, to give their names and addresses, said the Hastings delegate. A traffic officer had no alternative but to follow the offender, which might also necessitate that the traffic regulations provide that a pedestrian, upon being advised of an alleged offence, should supply on demand by a traffic or police officer his full naftie and address and any other particulars as to his identification.

A remit that provision should be made for medical certificates to be furnished by persons over 70 who require “overseas licences” was adopted. It was reported that when a visitor came to New Zealand and produced his home driver’s licence the local authority overstamped it and granted a free licence to drive for six months.

? The Wellington centre stated that a local body had the power to issue certificates and should also have the power to re-examine drivers if necessary during the currency of a licence and not wait until action was taken by the Commissioner of Transport.

It was stated that if a man was found to be unfit to drive because of his medical condition- the matter had to be referred to the Commissioner of Transport for action. It had been found that sometimes some months elapsed before action was taken, and in the meantime the unfit driver continued to drive.

Delegates to the conference were welcomed by the Mayor (Sir Ernest Andrews and the chairman of the Traffic Conimittee of the Christchurch City Council (Mr C. D. W. L. Sheppard. The president (Mr E. J. Smith, (Dunedin) replied. Mr Sheppard, was elected president for the year.