Speed Limits

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30453, 29 May 1964, Page 10

Speed Limits

Sir, —I am puzzled greatly. The speed limit in built-up areas is 30 miles an hour. If one travels at 31 or 32 miles an hour one is breaking the law. Traffic inspectors do not stop motorists travelling at that speed. Will the traffic superintendent please answer: (1) Do inspectors have the right to use their own judgment as to when a motorist is breaking the law? If not, why are motorists allowed to travel at 32 miles an hour without being stopped? (2) When one is driving behind six or eight cars doing 35, with as many behind, is it not better to -keep up rather than have the ones behind passing? This happens daily in Harper avenue. (3) On roads such as the above, would not a limited speed zone be more practicable? Our traffic laws, even if archaic, should be enforced; otherwise they should be modernised-.—Yours, etc., PERPLEXED MOTORIST. May 24, 1964. [The City Council traffic superintendent (Mr J. F. Thomas) says:—“(l) Where any motorist is detected exceeding 30 m.p.h., it is normal for an officer to take some action. In cases of speeds slightly in excess of 30 m.p.h. and unless there is an element of danger, the driver would normally be advised of his speed and requested to comply in the future. (2) The fact that drivers in front are exceeding the speed limits should not be an indication to others that they should do likewise. (3) 1 feel that the maximum permitted speed of 30 m.p.h. over the short distance of Harper avenue is reasonable, and any increase could have detrimental effects.”