RIGHT-HAND RULE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30073, 6 March 1963, Page 15

RIGHT-HAND RULE

Policy Of A.A. Restated

The Automobile Association 'Cawterbury > is fully in favour of the absolute righthand rule, said the general secretary of the association iMr E. E. Palliser) yesterday. He was commenting on letters from S. W. Hickmott and “Ham” which appeared in -The Press” yesterday on the right-hand rule Mr Palliser said that in May, 1982. the association’s council conveyed to the

South Island Motor Union the following resolution: — "That the joint standing committee of the North and South Island Motor Unions be asked to give urgent consideration to requesting the Government to amend regulation 11 (1) of the Traffic Regulations, 1966, to the effect that at all intersections not controlled by traffic lights, traffic inspectors, or mandatory signs, all vehicular traffic shall yield right of way to traffic (other than trams) on its right hand in all circumstances."

Subsequently this recommendation was modified to give effect to a recentlygazetted amendment to the Traffic Regulations where under the driver of a vehicle turning to the right at an uncontrolled intersection is required to give way to a vehicle approaching from

ahead and not turning to the right. At the same time the council reaffirmed Canterbury's advocacy of the introduction, as soon as practicable, of a “major road” system for all main arterial highways outside the urban areas, said Mr Pa Hiser.

“The foregoing was referred to the South Island Motor Union to the six other South Island automobile associations, the majority of whom expressed their support for the proposal. However, before the proposal was passed forward to the joint standing committee it was discussed at the meeting of the South Island Motor Union in September, 1962. and effectively blocked by the Automobile Association (Southland). which gave notice of its intention to move at the half-yearly meeting of the union a fortnight later that the union reaffirm its approval of the present right-hand rule and that any resolution to the contrary be rescinded. “Cantertxiry’s case to the union was fully documented with all known arguments both for and against the existing right-hand rule and the absolute right-hand rule, and reached the inescapable conclusion that there was a very definite need for the simplification of the existing rule, the application of which has caused much confusion and difficulty of interpretation, not only by motorists. but also by the courts. ■ln answer to the point raised by 'Uan,' I would point out that in its annual report for the year ended July 31, 1962, Canterbury stated clearly what had been done in this matter. The report was circulated to ill members ot the association and adopted at the association's annual meeting in October, 1962. without one voice being raised in opposition to the proposal,” said Mr Palliser.