MINISTER DISCUSSES SPEED LIMITS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29467, 20 March 1961, Page 17

MINISTER DISCUSSES SPEED LIMITS

The removal of unnecessary, irksome restrictions on driving was advocated by the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) in an address to the South Island Publicity Association conference. Mr McAlpine said that he had called for a review of all 30 miles an hour speed limits where there was any doubt about the need for them. The Transport Department had been asked to conduct a survey of the type of offences which the Transport Department enforced, and as he had suspected parking offences were the largest. There were twice as many parking offences as the next highest offence, breaking the 30 mile restriction, which again was five times as high as the next biggest offence. “It is obvious that people do not take parking offences seriously. I do not either,” he said. Instead of concentrating on parking offences there should be more emphasis on a proper 30 mile an hour restriction. Some of those limits could be more effectively served by a limited speed zone.

“Do not misunderstand me, I want to preserve the safety factor in those areas and I am sure that limited speed zones will do that without adding to the frustrations of drivers. “In a limited speed zone the responsibility is put on the driver to limit his speed to not more than 30 miles an hour if conditions are such that the safety of others may be in jeopardy. However, if the road is clear then he may travel at 50 miles an hour. The question of the 50 mile an hour limit on open roads was another point that had to be considered. “Have we progressed in our thinking of 30 years ago when this regulation was brought in?” he asked. “With better roads and more powerful cars there is no reason why cars should not be able to travel at a faster speed than 50 miles an hour.” The new road safety campaign which he had started had received quite strong approval but there had been criticism in Auckland of the proposed powers to allow traffic officers to arrest drivers who were driving in a reckless or dangerous manner. he said. “I consider it is fair to put that person off the road before he can do any damage. If a person in charge of a car is drunk then a traffic officer can take his keys away and stop him from driving. That could not happen before to the irresponsible driver who is just as big a danger.” “I think it is quite right that traffic officers should have this power. Do you agree?” he asked the conference. Mr A. C. Brassington (a Christchurch solicitor): I do not agree! The police may do this but it should not be the right of traffic officers. Mr McAlpine said with this proposed legislation there was no question 'of putting the irresponsible driver in a gaol for a week. He would be charged in the police station and then allowed to go home. The major point was to get him off the road.