Traffic rules ’confusing’

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 6

Traffic rules ’confusing’

The new traffic regulations were still confusing the public, the Canterbury Automobile Association Council decided yesterday. The problem lay not so much in lack of publicity as in the way publicity was handled, and many people were not interested in mastering the new regulations.

A very strong continuing educational programme was l essentia) to highlight the situations posing most prob-i lems to motorists, said Mr R A. Avtvn. The Ministry of Transport | was predictably “slaphappy” in its public relations, said Mr J. R. Mating. Its tele vision presentation of newj regulations for motorists; turning at intersections had created “vast confusion.” The more difficult and dangerous rules had not been; adequately treated.

Recommendations made by) New Zealand Automobile; Associations on the draft | regulations in the two years• before they became law. had; indicated ’ the weaknesses! that were now causing pub-i lie concern, said the general l manager (Mr E. G. Palliser).! He specified the new rule on! pedestrian crossings, and as-l

■ pects of the turning rules at intersections.

Now that the regulations had become law motorists were obliged to "do their homework," and give the rules a fair trial, he said The New Zealand association will be asked to give the new rules urgent publicity. and to clarify some of them.