Mr J.F. Thomas Explains Use Of Traffic Lanes

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30169, 28 June 1963, Page 8

Mr J.F. Thomas Explains Use Of Traffic Lanes

An explanation of the manner in which drivers should comply with lane markings on roads was given by the Traffic Superintendent of the Christchurch City Council (Mr J. F. Thomas). Mr Thomas was replying to a letter on traffic lanes by a correspondent, ‘‘J.J.” The correspondent said:— “How is a stranger to know what lane he is to take when he has no way of knowing the number of lanes he is entering or where the lanes lead to? What is the position. for example, in Moorhouse avenue? On a number of occasions one lane has been completely blocked by parked trucks, loading and unloading, etc. Does one wait in behind these obstructions until the lane is clear? Could I ask Mr Thomas what regulation makes it an offence to change lanes, and whether the regulation in question overrules the la<w requiring a motorist tn keep as close as practicable to the left-hand side of the road?” Where an intersection was laned and direction arrows placed in the lanes, the traffic regulations said that a driver should choose the lane appropriate to his direction of travel, which meant that

vehicles must comply with the arrows, Mir Thomas said. Some intersections had two arrows going straight through. This was so, for example, in Moorhouse avenue and Linwood avenue, and at the intersection of Gloucester and Colombo streets, and would be so at the intersection of Bealiey avenue and Papanui road. At these intersections, vehicles were permitted to go straight through the intersection from either of the designated lanes. At intersections with this type of laming there was adequate carriageway to accommodate two lanes of vehicles, and motorists should not be faced with any difficulties. The actual lanes of approach to intersections which had the directional arrows were different from the divisional lane markings between intersections. The lanes of approach were marked with solid lines, while the divisional lanes were marked with intermittent lines. It was in the lanes delineated by intermittent lines that drivers could change from one lane to the other—-

provided the movement could be made in safety—to place the vehicle in such a position that on the approach to the intersection the “nochanging" lane appropriate to the intended direction of travel could be chosen. The law requiring a motorist to keep as close as practicable to the left of the roadway was not over-ridden, but there was nothing to stop a driver overtaking another vehicle between intersections The New Zealand Traffic Institute had recommended to the Transport Department that where there were two or more lanes marked on the roadway, except at intersections, motorists should be permitted to overtake on the inside of another vehicle provided the movement could be executed in safety, Mr Thomas said. “If your correspondent is still confused I will be glad to explain the ma tter to him further if he gets in touch with me,” Mr Thomas said.

Speed With Trailers.— The Christchurch Metropolitan Road Safety Committee supported an increase of speed from 40 to 45 miles an hour for motor-vehicles towing trailers.