115 cars ‘caught’ in 20 m.p.h. limit

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33539, 21 May 1974, Page 12

115 cars ‘caught’ in 20 m.p.h. limit

Traffic officers using a microwave speed detector on a resealed section of the main road north of Amberley had a good week-end “catch” during the two days. They stopped 115 motorists for exceeding the temporary 20 m.p.h. limit.

Of the 115, 57 were travelling at 35 m.p.h. or less, and will thus be dealt with under the standard fine procedure. Fifteen will pay the maximum of $49. The remaining 58 cases will go before the Court.

The highest speed recorded through the 20 m.p.h. limit was 50 m.p.h,

The Ministry of Works, which has been doing the resealing, has been worried about the speed of cars damaging the new seal, last November cars crossing the seal too fast caused damage estimated at $lO,OOO, a figure placed before the Rangiora Magistrate’s Court when some offenders were dealt with early this year. The damage caused at that time made the second sealing job necessary. SIGN AUTHORITY

Under the regulations, the road controlling, authority, the local authority, a traffic officer, or the person in charge of the road works has the power to erect a legally enforceable temporary speed restriction sign.

Generally, the Ministry of Transport advises that contractors should obtain authority in writing before putting up such a sign. Evidence of the legality of the restriction is always placed before the Court when cases are defended.