SPEED LIMITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 192, 16 August 1927, Page 13

SPEED LIMITS.

STILL ENFORCED IN AMERICA. British motor journals have for a long time been full of complaints against speed traps, the methods employed by the police in working them and the waste of time entailed on the Force, whose services, it is contended, would be more usefully employed in direct traffic control. It is unquestionable that there is unfairness, not to say folly, about most of the trapping of speedsters in the old-fashioned way, but the law is the 1a , .?, and if there is a speed limit then it is the motorists' duty to observe it. The motorist wants to abolish speed limits, but it is doubtful if the non-motor-owning section of the public would agree to this, or even all of the motor-owners. Motorists are not angels in regard to obedience to regulations, and to grant a general license to drivers, to decide what is a safe speed in any given circumstances would be to grant a very great deal.

An idea seems to be prevalent that there are no speed limits in America, or generally speaking none. Nothing could be further from the facts. Speed limits in America are practically universal, and in most States—and towns—they are surprisingly low. There is, however, one big difference as compared with England, and that is that the police use more discretion. Against this, one has to remember that they also use more "discretion" in regard to crime; they are notoriously ineffective. It is said that ten thousand murderers alone are walking about in the States free men. Also, be it remembered, it was the States that coined the expression, "hit and run," motorists. Of course, such are not unknown elsewhere, but it is apparent they are somewhat common in America.

« KICK-BACK " ADVERTISING.

The placing of advertising dodgers in parked cars is not uncommon in Auckland. Whether such advertisement is effective or not only those who resort to it can say; it is a practice that may easily have just the opposite effect to what is intended. In America it is so customary that it forms a real abuse and the voice of protest is being raised against it. "It is high time that some resolution is introduced by the Board of Supervisors preventing any continuation of the indiecriminate distribution of advertising dodgers and'circulars in parked automobiles throughout the city," says a San Francisco motor editor. "This practice of littering up the tonneaus and driving compartments of cars is becoming more and more of a nuisance and should* not be countenanced by law. The circulars, which first called attention to items of interest to motorists only, now include amusements, restaurants, patent medicines, real-estate and almost everything else imaginable. "Conditions are such that if one leaves his car on any of the main streets for even a few moments, either day or night, he ia sure on hie return to find it filled with various notices that, instead of leaving a favourable impression, are most irritating. "The automobile owner of to-day on reaching liis car no longer looks over or reads the circulars found in his car, tied to the steering wheel, tucked under the windshield wiper, or attached to the radiator cap. Impulsively he grabs them up, crushes them in his hands, and throws them into the street. Thie naturally means the advertising cannot register, instead, it so irritates the car owner that even if he did know the name of the advertiser or his business he would not patronise him. 8 a law in the cit 7 et*tutea .hat prohibits the distribution of handbills on the sidewalks of the city. This law should be so amended to include a clause making it unlawful for advertisers to distribute dodgers in parked autobiles along the kerb lines or in motor vehicles parked in licensed parking spots If repairs or paint shops, or supplf houses, want to caH attention to their workmanship or their stock there are otfcer means of doing it than by annoying the motor car owner, who takes a pride in his car and endeavours to keep it clean. >,ot so long ago one smart repair man noticing the front wheel of a r ar out of line, noted the number of the car +^^ Up in the re «» r ds. and then ** ° f "*** the —T. S¥?* ee ** ain, y. sn <> w «i progressiveness tL h ,S Part !? d doub * 1 «« Accounts for the busy condition of his shop. Had he spent money in littering care with circulars it is positive that he would not £»™ this one, and, doubtlei hundreds of other jobs." ««"»«ess,

THE BUNGALOW MOTOR.

The Highway Motor Yacht is an interesting novelty which will ehortly make its appearance on the streets (says a London writer). The first is now on order, and the second is expected to be purchased by the head of a wellknown Oxford Street store. These highway "cruisers"—in other words, motor cars de luxe— will appeal to all, but only the wealthy will be able to gratify that appeal, as the cost will hover round the £3000 mark. Full provision is made for the service of proper meals by a butler-valet-chauf-feur, there being two attendants who take shifts—or watches—«t the steering wheel. e Comfortable accommodation is provided for eight passengers and the "crew," and both the night and day rooms are insulated from mechanical noise. The vehicle—which is 39ft long—has six wheels, with pneumatic tyres and vacuum operated brakes all round. The drive is taken through the four rear wheels from a 110 h.p. six-cylinder engine. Just off the entrance vestibule is a perfectly fitted bathroom, with showers and douches; a silvered wash-basin, and hot and cold water. . There are night tables, reading lamps; electric cigar lighters, fans, bells, and light, wardrobes, Wilton pile carpets, silk blinds and other luxuries in the bedrooms. Similarly complete is the lounge—plus a gramophone and wireless receivin* set.

ROADS SWOLLEN BY TRAFFIC.

The great waves of outbound motor traffic from New York set in motion by the Fourth of July holidays struck with full force on seashore, 'country and mountain resorts. Manhattan became a great link in the movement of motor traffic. Motor cars of every description jammed the entrances to ferry houses at the Battery, where they were bound for Staten Island and through to New Jersey seashore resorts. The railroad ferry slips along the Hudson Hirer were congested all day with automobile parties struggling to get out of the centre of congestion to the country.