MOTOR SPEED-LIMIT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 18, 16 October 1933, Page 11

MOTOR SPEED-LIMIT

Regulation Opposed AUTOMOBILE CLUB VIEW In tbe last annual report of the Wellington Automobile Club it was indicated that in a draft revised copy of the motor regulations a speed limit of 40 miles per hour was set down. Later this matter was taken up with the Minister of Transport, and as a result the limit was removed from surfaced roads, but was retained on gravel roads. In announcing his decision to retain the limit on gravel roads, it is stated, the Minister of Transport set out to justify the restriction by stating that high speeds were accountable for a good deal of the deterioration of these roads. , “There is. however.” says the report, “a substantial difference of opinion between tbe Transport Department and our national reading authority—tbe Main Highways Board —as to tbe extent of the damage and tbe savin, which can be effected by tbe impositio of a speed limit. The view expressed bv the Main Highways Board was .0 the effect that tbe regulations could not be enforced, and. tbevefoic. th amount of saving was very doubtful 1 . fact it was stated that enforcement of the regulations would practically ea, up any saving in maintenance costs. "The executive endorses this vie and regrets that still another regulation of this kind should have been added to the motor vehicle code especia l after all interested authorities w . one exception, were opposed to it. as speed limits senerally are. concerned, the executive is of that tbe charge of driving to the mon danger should have general a P ph cation and the present system under which when certain speeds are exceeded the onus of proof Is Virtue motorist—o system wh ch is in d oct conflict with Principles of. Bu fish justice—should be abolished.