SPEED ON MOTORWAYS 60 m.p.h. Favoured By Traffic Head

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31786, 17 September 1968, Page 1

SPEED ON MOTORWAYS 60 m.p.h. Favoured By Traffic Head

A maximum speed of 60 miles an hour on motorways, adequate signalling of intention to change lanes, and equipping of all vehicles with both left and right-turn indicators by 1970 are supported by the Christchurch City Council’s Traffic Superintendent (Mr J. F. Thomas).

A report he made to the council last evening on proposed changes in traffic legislation will be sent by the council to the Municipal Association and the Commissioner of Transport (Mr R. J. Polaschek), who asked for local-bodv views.

Mr Thomas said he fully supported raising the speed limit on motorways which were free of the hazards of pedestrians, cyclists, stopped vehicles, and overdimension loads.

! Replacement of the “limited speed zone” with specific 30. 40, and 55 miles-an-hour areas is proposed by the Commissioner of Transport. While Mr

Thomas supports the principle, he suggested gradations of five or 10 miles an hour from 30 to 60. Realistically applied, this would earn the respect of motorists, he said. Supporting regulations about intention to change lanes, Mr Thomas said provision should also be made for following drivers to reduce speed—otherwise there was not much advantage. The Commissioner of Transport has also proposed that “except when overtaking another vehicle, every driver following another vehicle along the road shall maintain between his vehicle and the vehicle ahead a minimum space equal to two feet for every mile an hour of his speed.” Mr Thomas said this was "extremely good advice” but “totally impracticable from the point of view of enforcement.” He could not see how any traffic officer could assess speed and distance in the manner proposed.