“MAJOR ROADS” SCHEME

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25917, 24 September 1949, Page 2

“MAJOR ROADS” SCHEME

MOTOR UNION SEEKS INNOVATION REMITS PASSED BY CONFERENCE The declaration of “major roads" with the ultimate aim of traffic on them having the right of way over all other vehicles, was approved in ; principle by the conference of the South Island Motor Union in Christchurch yesterday. North Island Motor Union representatives said that the idea was rated by their members as premature; but they agreed to discuss the question on a joint committee of both union executives. Dr. S. A. Gibbs (Nelson) said that the main highways were built for fast traffic, and even now there was a natural tendency for traffic entering on either side to give such through traffic the right of way. Travel would tend to become faster and provision for major roads was logical. He did not think complication of the righthand rule need deter delegates from supporting the proposal. “Major road ahead” signs had been used unofficially in his area with splendid results, said Mr M. M. Macdonald (Southland). State and main highways were the obvious ones to be declared major roads. Accidents had been reduced on main road intersections through use of unofficial “major road ahead” signs on side roads in his area, too. said Mr J. Palliser (South Canterbury). Canterbury supported the idea but wanted major roads officially declared before the position was confused with unofficial signs, said Mr R. Twyneham. There was a problem in Canterbury through numbers of intersecing main roads being of “even value.” Pedestrian Crossings The Transport Department is testing the use of a diamond mark on the road surface as a warning of approach to pedestrian crossings, it was reported when improvements to these crossings were urged by North Otago delegates. They proposed that the black and white and black banded posts at the side of pedestrian crossings (which were confused with veranda posts and obscured by traffic) should be replaced with a back diamond bearing a grill pattern in silver. The conference considered that posts and signs of any sort were little help in picking up pedestrian crossings, and that advance markings on the road and more striking and durable definition of the crossings themselves would be most helpful. The Education Department will be asked to seek the co-operation of school bus drivers in training their passengers in road safety rules for alighting. When a report that reversing lights were prohibited on private vehicles was received, it was reported that amendments to the regulations were being prepared to permit the use of these lights and also of double fog lamps. As there was a suggestion that use of headlights would be forbidden while a reversing light was on. the union will ask the Transport Department to supply the draft regulation for comment before it is brought into force.