Restraints for children in cars sought?

Press, 28 May 1981, Page 4

Restraints for children in cars sought?

Compulsory restraining devices in cars for children under the age of eight are likely to be sought by the Automobile Association at its annual conference later in the year. Mr G. G. Turbott (Canterbury) said at yesterday’s council meeting of the New Zealand association that the Canterbury association had been asked to support a move to establish safety res-

traints for children. However, a recommendation by Mr turbott making it illegal for children under the age of eight to travel in the front seat of a car without a suitable restraining device was not seconded.

; Several members felt they would have to take the recommendation to their own councils for guidance. . The secretary-general (Mr R. W. Lithgow) said the recommendation could be discussed at the annual conference later in the year. Mr A. I. R. Jamieson, the councils vice-president, was disappointed that the association could only make an advisory recommendation. “It is a very real problem and we cannot keep shopping

.. • . the problem around and hoping that it will solve itself” he said. “The association should be strong enough to know what to do." Mr J. Perry (Auckland) said it was such a worthwhile scheme that the association should ask the organisers of Telethon if the matter could be discussed by a panel during the 24-hour extravaganza. “This is the International Year for the Disabled Person and there are many j’oung children disabled by car accidents,” he said. Discussions round the table indicated that the recommendation would? be viewed favourably at the annual

conference. r Signs defaced The Automobile Association has written to HART because of the number ,of road signs, in Canterbury, especially, that have been defaced with anti-Springbok tour signs. Mr E. S. Palliser (Canterbury) said his board had viewed the breaches so seriously that it wanted the culprits traced and prosecuted. ,

Mr L. H. F. Brown (Central) said the main trouble in giving the problem so much publicity was that it promoted a new wave of stickers posted on signs in the district. Another Central member of the council, Mr R. L. Whyte, was concerned that it was possible someone could not be punished for disobeying a sign that had been defaced because it was a non-conforming sign. Ministry criticised Traffic officers were criticised for spending too much time waiting in speed traps rather than being out on the road investigating all aspects of motprists’ behaviour other 1 than speeding. Mr W. J. Arthur (South Taranaki) said that with more instant fines introduced and a move to free officers of so much court work, he hoped more officers would be on the road “where it counted."

Fuel saving Recent tests by Automobile Association (Auckland) for the Ministry of Energy of a

Briggsport Atomiser showed an increased fuel consumption over-all of 4 per cent with the device fitted. The device, which is a substitute inlet manifold gasket comprising , gauze screens in each inlet port, was fitted to an automatic Ford Cortina 2000GL.

Although there was a saving in fuel, there was a slight fall off in power and torque.

Trailer warrants

The council is' in favour of extending the warrant of fitness system' for. 500-kilogram trailers from six- months to a year. This would cover small caravans and camper vans. Ellery (Otago) said that caravans would be used only

about twice a year and owners would need a new warrant every time they used them.

Not favoured

■Two recommendations not supported by the council were that emission testing be part of the six-monthly warrant of fitness and that the reverse side of Stop and Give Way signs be colour-coded.