SPEED LIMITS DEFINED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21972, 22 December 1936, Page 11

SPEED LIMITS DEFINED

Sweeping Alterations Announced STATEMENT BY MINISTER (I'RESS ASSOCIATION TELEGKAM.) WELLINGTON, December 21. The Hon. R. Semple, Minister for Transport, announced to-day that he has signed for gazetting on Tuesday warrants which will effect sweeping changes in local speed limits throughout New Zealand. "As I stated at the outset of the Government's campaign for safer roads," said Mr Semple, "one of the first essentials appeared to be that traffic regulations should be as simple as possible and uniform throughout the whole country. With this in view the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 1936, was passed. Under the powers provided in this act, I have had made a comprehensive examination of all speed restrictions at present in force under local body by-laws. To say the least of it. the position was amazing. Innumerable speed limits ranging from a walking pace to 25 miles an hour existed, and it was utterly impossible for the average motorist to be even aware of the legal responsibilities as far as speeds were concerned. I have made practically a clean sweep of the lot. All local bylaw speed restrictions in New Zealand, except the following, have been disallowed by me to-day:— Auckland City—2o-15 m.p.h. in the Domain; 10 m.p.h. on Grafton bridge. Devonport Borough—lo m.p.h. in domain.

Hamilton Borough—lo m.p.h. on traffic bridge, until repaired. Hutt County—l2 m.p.h. on beaches. Invercargill City—2o m.p.h. through the Domain to Oreti Beach. Lower Hutt Borough—lo m.p.h. on Melling bridge. Timaru Borough—lo m.p.h. in Timaru Park.

Waimea County—6 m.p.h. on light traffic bridges. Wellington City—2o m.p.h. in tunnels; 15-6 m.p.h. Hutt pipe bridge.

"I would like to take this opportunity," said Mr Semple, "of thanking local authorities for their co-operation. I want the motorist to realise that the laws regarding negligent, dangerous, or inconsiderate driving still apply, and as to whether it will be necessary to re-enact some of the disallowed speed restrictions later depends wholly on the motorist himself. If he plays the game and drives with due consideration for others, freedom from irksome restrictions will continue

"At the same time, action has been taken to de-restrict from the statutory 30 m.p.h. speed limit certain borough approaches of a rural nature. Included in this de-restriction is a stretch of the Hutt road from the city boundary at Ngahauranga to the old Porirua read at Kaiwarra, and also various approaches to boroughs in the Auckland district. These de-restricted areas will all be indicated by the circular signs recently illustrated, the diagonal bar indicating the beginning of the de-restricted area and 30 the end of such area and the application of the 30 m.p.h. speed limit. "The built up portion of the Mount Roskill Road District has also been declared to be a closely populated locality, and the effect will be to apply to the area (also to be indicated by signs) a statutory speed limit of 30 m.p.h." The Minister said that in every borough and town district, unless clearly indicated by a de-restriction sign, a 30 m.p.h. speed restriction applied without exception. "Unless there is a de-restriction sign," said Mr Semple, "the motorist must not drive faster than 30 m.p.h. in any borough or town district." WARRANTS OF FITNESS ISSUE BY "A" GRADE GARAGES J (I'KESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 21. The Minister for Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, announces that garages classified and registered as A grade by the New Zealand Garage Proprietors' Association, and being members of that association, are empowered to issue warrants of fitness when motor vehicles are inspected half-yearly. The cost of inspection is 2s 6d. Where they have a staff and equipment, city authorities may inspect vehicles and issue warrants. The arrangement concerning garages will continue for two years. Garages not classified as A grade will be inspected by a transport officer before being allowed to carry out inspections. Mr Semple appeals to motorists to co-operate in the proposal, in the interests of road safety.