Road Safety Regulations

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 221, 15 June 1936, Page 2

Road Safety Regulations

Sir, —In glancing over the main features of the Alotor Vehicles Amendment Bill, 1 heartily agree that the Minister of Transport is to be congratulated on trying to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities ou the roads. I marie a particular study of traffic control during my sojourn of several years in Canada', and your paper has already been good enough to publish some of my criticisms, and 1 should be pleased therefore if you would allow me some of your valuable space to make a few suggestions.. ~ First: The adoption of the stop system throughout the whole of New Zealand, i.c., that all vehicles entering a main highway must definitely stop and see that, the road is clear before proceeding; this could also be applied in municipal areas eventually, but of course it would be necessary for the local bodies concerned to designate which were main thoroughfares, aud then a satisfactory system of "stop” and "through” streets could be worked out. In my opinion this would be more practical, than the right-hand rule, which is obsolete and wiiieh is invariably not observed. Second: A regular testing of brakes, lights, horn, steering gear, etc., and a general warning by the Government that the onus rested upon all motorists to see that their vehicles are in good cond lion that they are liable to be called upon at any time for an examination. These tests could be carried out in all districts by inspectors, who would have authority to call on any passing motorist to submit to a test. If bis brakes, etc., are in good order a sticker would be placed on the windscreen. This sticker should be highly coloured and different each year. On one Side the year, say, “1936,” and on the reverse side such details as to place issued, date, efficiency of equipment, etc., would be filled in by the inspector. If, on t! other hand, his brakes are inefficient, the inspee : would hand him a chit advising him tha't proceedings will be taken and also a warning to have his brakes adjusted immediately. Third: 1 contend that pedestrians using highways and roads where no footway is provided should walk on the righthand side, that is, facing oncoming traffic. This is more practical and pedestrians are less likely to be hit by careless motorists and can be seen much more readily at night in the glare of lieatlll?Fourth: That cyclists should proceed

in single file on the extreme left side of rhe paving on highways outside municipal areas and not more than two abreast in city and town areas. Fifth: In cities where trams are operating, all vehicular traffic must stop six feet in rear of trams which arc taking on or setting down passengers. This would stop the particularly bad practice of cyclists and motor-cyclists threading their' way among those using the trams (this applies particularly to Christchurch).

Special attention should be paid by traffic inspectors to children playing in the streets; pedestrians not observing traffic lights and not using recognised crossings; those inconsiderate motorists who will persist in keeping to the centre of the road while proceeding at slow speed; inconsiderate passing of cars on hills ami corners; cutting corners; the use of proper hand signals when wishing to turn —leaving the curb and stopping; ears parked in dark streets without lights: prohibition of four persons riding in front seats; noisy exhausts of motor-cycles; glaring and improperly focused headlights, etc. All these malpractices have been encouraged by the slackness of the present system, but I feel sure that with periodical safety campaigns, sponsored by the Government, per medium of the Press of New Zealand, in the schools, and over the air. and with a general tightening up and strict enforcement of the law, the result would be a decided reduction in the number of accidents and fatalities and a huge improvement in the good road manners” of our motoring, cycling aud pedestrian public. —I am, etc., Palmerston North, June 10,