SPEED LIMIT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30062, 21 February 1963, Page 22

SPEED LIMIT

Motor-Cyclists Ask For Increase

The New Zealand Autocycle Union has asked that ths speed limit of 40 miles an hour for motor-cycles carrying pillion passengers be increased to 45 miles an hour, says a sub-committee report of the New Zealand Road Safety Council which will be considered by tile council next month.

The sub-committee says that the main point put forward by the union in favour of the proposal is that there would be less overtaking of motor-cycles by other vehicles, and the risk of their being pushed off the road would be lessened.

A Transport Department report says that traffic improvement schools, which the council in 1961 recommended

be introduced, are now being offered in 16 localities and are being enthusiastically received by the public.

Legislation which will come into effect on May 1 provides that courts may direct convicted persons to attend traffic improvement schools.

Another report to be considered says that the Traffic Institute suggests that regulations on overtaking on the left be amended to include the following:— "Where the left half of the carriageway is divided into two or more lanes by solid or intermittent white Lines, it shall be permissible for a driver to overtake another vehicle on the left or the inside of that vehicle, provided the movement can be executed with safety and with due consideration to ' other road users.”

The enforcemem sub-com-mittee of the council, commenting on the report, says that there are several wide roads not only in Christchurch but in many other centres where controlling authorities wish to use two and sometimes three lanes for moving traffic.

"It is felt that the permitting of overtaking on the left, which is common practice overseas, would not only educate the New Zealand motorist to drive in lanes, but would provide a greater road-carrying capacity,” says the report.