Roads Busy As Easter Holidaymakers Return

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31032, 12 April 1966, Page 16

Roads Busy As Easter Holidaymakers Return

There were continuous lines of vehicles, many towing caravans and trailers, on the main north and south roads yesterday as people returned to

Christchurch at the close of the Easter holiday period. Transport Department officers reported heavy traffic in the morning and early afternoon, reaching a peak about 4.30 p.m. In spite of the density, there were no delays at the Waimakariri bridge where three officers were on duty, with a fourth just south of Kaiapoi keeping them informed by radio. The behaviour of motorists yesterday, and over the holiday period generally, had been fairly good in the main, said Senior Traffic Officer W. Sterritt last evening. Risky over-taking was the main fault.

“There’s always somebody who seems to be a bit impatient” he said. Between 4 p.m. on Thursday and 6 p.m. on Sunday, 374 traffic offence notices were issued by Transport Department officers in Canterbury. Keys were taken from 10 slightly intoxicated drivers and one was apprehended for alleged drunken driving. Written warnings were given to 87 motorists, and 191 were warned verbally. Traffic throughout the holiday period was similar in density to that of previous Easters, traffic officers said. Conditions yesterday were virtually back to normal by 9 p.m.

The City Council traffic superintendent (Mr 3. F. Thomas) said traffic in Christchurch itself was also comparable with other years. There had been a “substantial exodus” from the city on Thursday evening, and a heavy stream of motorists going to New Brighton on Saturday, to take advantage of the extended shopping hours, or to visit the beach. “Parking was difficult to obtain, but drivers did what was required of them *