Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 9

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

Tunnel Road If traffic on the road to the Lyttelton road tunnel'increases very much, as it is no doubt hoped it will, the authotity may have to consider one of two courses: widening the road to four lanes or setting a minimum speed limit. Overtaking is not posible over a large part of the road, and it is very common to come upon vehicles moving very slowly and holding up traffic considerably. Occasionally it is a truck causing the trouble, but this is rare. More often it is an old car struggling along, or a later model with the driver admiring the scenery from the middle of the road. Recently one group of cars had to travel much of the length of the road at 25 m.p.h. because of a battered veteran unable to keep up a good pace. Minimum Speeds Minimum speed limits are becoming more and more common overseas and their eventual advent in New Zealand would seem a logical development As far as the tunnel road is concerned, 40 m.p.h. would probably be a reasonable figure. It is questionable whether any car or driver incapable of keeping to this speed on such a road should be allowed on the road at all. Motorways

where this term is used to mean only motors are allowed on the road, and nothing more. A true motorway, that is a motor road for fast traffic, should have at least two lanes in each direction, and a physical barrier, such as a fence or wide median strip, separating opposing lines of traffic. Under this definition the Dunedin “motorway” would also be incorrectly named. Lanes If traffic is to travel at a reasonable speed, without the necessity of a minimum speed limit, then two lanes each way are essential to permit overtaking. Hence the Auckland motorway is a true motorway for it has two lanes and a median strip. But if traffic increases at its present rate, two lanes will not be enough in 10 years, and three will be necessary, as overseas. It is essential that any motorway being built today should at least have provision for the addition of a third lane in each direction when it becomes necessary. Discipline However with lanes must come stern lane discipline, and a good start on this could be made now on such streets as Bealey avenue,

where a considerable number of motorists still show a complete disregard of the lanes. Even taxis, who ought to know better, can be seen straddling lanes, and a traffic officer on hand to reprimand and correct drivers committing such errors would certainly help. In nearly all cases the fault is committed through ignorance and lack of attention rather than for any wilful motive.