VEHICLE SPEEDS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 294, 7 September 1932, Page 11

VEHICLE SPEEDS

Forty-mile Maximum NEW REGULATIONS Department’s Proposals Vehicle speeds are affected in proposals for amended motor regulations which have been.- sent to local bodies by the Transport Department for perusal and comment before they are embodied in revised requirements. There is ho absolute maximum speed limit for motor vehicles under the present regulations, but it is proposed that the maximum speed shall be 40 miles an hour for all vehicles. The maximum speed for private motor-cars would thus be reduced, but commercial vehicles of a gross weight of two tons and over would not be affected, as they are already subject to the requirement. Consequences of High Speeds. It is pointed out by the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. J. 8. Hunter, that high speeds for motor vehicles mean 1. High Rotid Maintenance Costs.—As the'amount of money available for this purpose has been seriously curtailed, it is to be expected that under high speeds the gravel and metal road surfaces will deteriorate, with the result that speeds will, of necessity, have to be reduced, and owing to rougher road surfaces, motor-vehicle operating costs will be increased. 2. Decreased Danger on Roads, ine rural roads of this country are m general unsuntable for high speeds as regards surface, alignment, and wldtn. After an investigation as to the causes of road accidents in California, it■ asserted that speeds in excess of the State allowable maximum of 40 miles per hour are always dangerous. 3. increased Vehicle Operating Costs. Ah increase of the speed of the average private car from 30 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour results in an increase in the cost per mile of petrol and lubricating oil by 70 per cent., while the tire and repair costs are-also materially increased. • ' , , “The only valid reason against speed restrictions,” states the Commissioner, “is that they mean increased travelling time, and it should be remembered that all service cars, motor omnibuses, and goods vehicles ovef. two tons gross weight, where the time factor is of taportance, would not be affected by the proposed amendment, as they are already subject to speed restrictions. The maximum speed for the lightest passenger service vehicle is 35 miles per hour. Extra Time Involved. “Of the total mileage run by private cars and light trucks, approximately 37 per cent, is run within boroughs and town districts where, in most' cases, speeds are already restricted to 25 miles per hour, and; therefore, approximately 63 per cent, of the mileage is run on rural roads. On these roads, it is estimated that at least 25 per cent, of the mileage run would have to be travelled at restricted speeds, owing to road conditions, leaving only 47 per cent, of the total annual mileage run by these vehicles where the proposed speed restrictions would apply. On an assumed annual mileage of 5000 miles, the extra time involved in travelling due to the proposed amendment would amount to only eight hours in twelve months.” Important proposals are made concerning vehicle brakes and the rules of the road. At present a driver must be able when travelling at 20 miles an hour to bring his vehicle to rest within 50ft. by using the foot brake, and within 70ft. by using the hand brake. It is proposed that these distances should be decreased to 40 and 60ft respectively. The proposals do not give the special concessions to goods vehicles over three tons gross weight given in the present regulations.