"Ignorance" of new traffic laws

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33215, 3 May 1973, Page 22

"Ignorance" of new traffic laws

Lists of changes in the traffic regulations should be handed to drivers when they relicensed their vehicles each year, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce will suggest to the Ministry of Transport.

The chamber had written to the Minister of Transport (Sir Basil Arthur) saying it felt changes in the regulations were not given sufficient publicity. The Minister’s reply, read to the chamber’s meeting last night, said that changes were reported by the news organisations, and in the Road Code, 300,000 copies of which were

distributed each year. Speakers felt this was not enough, and that the Ministry should do still more to make regulation changes widely known. Caravan problems

Mr R. E. Smith also raised the question of congestion caused in heavy traffic by caravans, and suggested that the National Roads Board should be asked to consider the provision of passing lanes on main highways in Canterbury. Several other speakers also favoured this idea, and it was agreed to suggest it to the board.

Mr Smith also commented on the Christchurch City Council's third plan for the Carlton Mill intersection, and said it was still a temporary measure.

It would help speed incoming traffic in the mornings if traffic from both lanes in Harper Avenue was permitted to turn right into Park Terrace, he said, and this would require the median strip in the intersection to be altered. Mr Smith also suggested i that right turns from Carlton | Ml|l Road into Harper Avenue should be banned.