Temporary Speed Limits

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30100, 6 April 1963, Page 10

Temporary Speed Limits

Contractors for the sealing of Woodham road appear to have had good cause for annoyance in the failure of motorists to reduce speed over the newly-prepared surface. It is no consolation to anybody that many of these drivers are also ratepayers, and therefore share in the cost of roading. The Traffic Regulations, 1956. provide that “ where at any “ place on a road any con- “ trolling authority con- “ aiders that a temporary “ risk of danger to the pub- “ lie or of damage to the “ road exists or is likely to “ arise, the controlling “authority may . . . erect “ signs . . . fixing a tempor- “ ary maximum speed “ limit...” The maximum penalty for offending against this regulation is a fine of £ 10. Co-operation between roading contractors and the traffic department of the Christchurch City Council

generally ensures that temporary restrictions are enforced as strictly as practicable; but because most trouble on highways such as Woodham road occurs at peak traffic periods, it may be difficult to detach inspectors from routine tasks for special patrols. Motorists, however, should be in no doubt of the legality of temporary speed limits when they are sanctioned by the appropriate authority and indicated by the proper signs. Makeshift notices, erected without the controlling authority’s sanction, are quite another matter, as the City Council’s Traffic Superintendent (Mr J. F. Thomas) may have meant to imply. On Woodham road and other highways where similar restrictions can be legally enforced, motorists should moderate their speed if they wish to avoid prosecution.