RIGHT-HAND RULE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25301, 29 September 1947, Page 8

RIGHT-HAND RULE

SHARP DIVISION OF OPINION

Ey a margin of only one vote, the annual meeting of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) on Saturday evening agreed to leave action about amendments to the right-hand rule to its executive. The others sought to have the present rule revoked immedi-. ately and the former practice of giving way to all traffic approaching on the right restored.

The matter was raised in a letter from Mr C. H. Brown, who said he thought the present rule confused and confounded motorists. The big advantage of the old rule was its simplicity. The president (Mr W. R. Carey) said the North and South Island Motor Unions had deferred consideration of the matter until statistics on the new rule over a period could be obtained. Most of the executive had concurred in this decision. Mr F. W. Johnston said he was one member of the executive who had consistently opposed the new rule. Apart from being impracticable, the rule was such that few people understood it. Under the old rule, all traffic on the right must be given the right of way. The new rule stated that if the vehicle on the right was turning, it must give way to through traffic. It was obvious that the driver going straight through would be confused through not knowing whether the man on his right was going to turn or go straight ahead. He moved that the meeting seek restoration of the old right-hand rule. Mr R. Twyneham seconded the motion. He said there might be something to be said for the new rule; but at present he could not see it. There was some discussion on the floor of the meeting, some saying: “Why not give way to the left?” “Why not give way to the right?” and the last interjector: “Why not go into reverse?”

Une member pointed out that there were present only about 50 out of a membership of more than 14.000. Was the meeting competent to speak for the association?

Mr Carey said that since all members had been given notice of the meeting and must know that any topic was likely to come up, he thought a decision could be made. The amendment that the matter be left to the executive was then moved and seconded, speakers saying that they believed the executive to pe better informed on the subject than most members.

On the first vote the amendment was lost on a show of hands. Some members asked why the executive had not voted and it was stated that votes had been withheld because the executive would do the bidding of the meeting. After affirmations from the floor that the executive should not be deprived of their rights to vote as members, the matter was again put to the meeting and the amendment was carried by 20 votes to 19. Mr Carey said that since the vote was so close, the executive would reconsider the matter carefully.

Mr Johnston asked a question about statistics. If the Motor Unions went on official statistics, they would only hear of the accidents arising from breaches of the right-hand rule. They should give thought to the dozens of near misses which were never reported. ________