Blinking Lights “Useless” As Day Traffic Signals

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28540, 20 March 1958, Page 10

Blinking Lights “Useless” As Day Traffic Signals

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, March 19. As a driver he was always suspicious of blinking light traffic indicators, the Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison) told the annual conference of the New Zealand Drivers’ Federation in New Plymouth today. Lights were quite useless during the day, he said, and he always used a hand signal. Trafficators were not entirely reliable, said Mr Mathison. Many were set fairly high on some cars and on others they were quite low. Mr Mathison was speaking to a remit adopted by the conference that drivers be required to give a hand signal in addition to signals by trafficators or blinking lights in daylight. To another remit adopted by the conference recommending that mechanical arms with flashing lights be installed on all railway crossings. Mr Mathison said that within the next few months there would be greater emphasis on safety at railway crossings.

The conference also decided to recommend that all mufti patrols be abolished and that such patrols be uniformed and given full power. Mr Mathison said he would not agree at present to the abolition of mufti patrols unless evidence could be produced that they had outlived their usefulness. Other Remits All the remits adopted by the conference yesterday were read

to Mr Mathison and the Commissioner of Transport (Mr H. B. Smith). They commented on some of them and assured the conference that all would receive careful consideration. The remits included: That it be made compulsory for all vehicles to stop, as well as pull to the left, when the drivers heard a siren.

That no driver under 21 be granted a licence to drive articulated vehicles or vehicles towing trailers over three tons.

That youths under 18 be prohibited from driving any tractor of 2J tons weight. That all examinations for drivers’ licences be conducted by the transport department and that all local body vehicles be passed by the department for certificates of fitness instead of by garages. That anv attempt to Increase the speed, limit be opposed.

That the attention of the Government be drawn to the increasing use by farmers of their own lorries at reduced licence fees, for carrying in opposition to licensed carriers. That to obtain a licence to tow a trailer or caravan a special test with a trailer or caravan attached to the vehicle be necessary. That it be obligatory for drivers of vehicles and pedestrians to give wav when approaching vehicles being reversed from a road into a right of way.