MOTORDOM

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 171, 16 April 1937, Page 15

MOTORDOM

by

Chassis

CAR-TESTING WORK STILL GOES ON

Brake-checking Dangers on the Open Road

There are thousands of motor-vehicles yet to be submitted to the testing and inspecting necessary’ before a warrant of fitness has been issued, but it is obvious that the Transport Department is showing tolerance toward the road-using public in delaying the inspectorial check of those who have or have not complied. There is realisation that it would take time for the testing machinery to get into proper working order.

The schedule of duties within which the testing work falls is a simple one which admits of no misunderstanding. The regulations set the limit of stopping effectiveness of brakes, and the standard to be applied to lights. When the regulations in those instances have been observed, the rear-view mirror, door fastenings, steering and wheel alignment and windscreen wipers come under review and the schedule is complete. It is the duty of every testing authority to ensure that all those details comply with the law, but any motor-vehicle defect beyond them does not concern the mechanic so far as the issue of a warrant is involved. It should, of course, concern the safe motorist, but that is entirely his business, and no mechanic may hold up the issue of a warrant if the schedule is all right and everything else is all wrong. Any motorist who thinks that any testing authority is exceeding its jurisdiction ; *ff he thinks that any item in the schedule is right when the mechanic says it is wrong, has the right to appeal to the Transport Department, whose officers will carry out an independent test, but such test will cost 5/-. TRAFFIC CONTROL Minister Outlines His Proposals VIEWS OF LOCAL BODIES SOUGHT Details of alterations which the Minister of Transport, Hon. R. Semple, considers are necessary to the law relating to motor-drivers’ licences and traffic enforcement are being sent to local bodies and other interested parties for their comment. It is proposed, states the circular, to revise the system of traffic control so that in future cities and boroughs with a population exceeding 6000 will be responsible for their own enforcement as at present, while the Government will be responsible for the smaller centres and the rural areas. Proceeds from the issue of drivers’ licences will be distributed to those authorities responsible for the control of traffic—that is, to the cities and larger boroughs and to the Government. At present these licences are issued by the local authorities, either after an examination of the applicant by an approved testing officer, or in renewal of an existing licence. A fee of 5/- to cover administrative expenses is charged for each licence. All drivers’ licences expire on May £1 of each year. It is proposed that from June 1, 1988, all drivers’ licences be issued by the deputy-registrars of motor vehicles. This will mean that it will be possible to obtain a licence at some 300 full-time post offices throughout the Dominion. A new driver will require to present at the post office a certificate of his competency to drive, supplied by an approved testing officer. In other cases, the licence previously issued will require to be produced. Basis of Proportions. It is proposed that the fee will still be 5/- a licence, and from this amount a prescribed sum (6d. has tentatively been agreed upon) will be retained by the Post and Telegraph Department to cover expenses. The residue will he allocated as follows: —(1) 40 per cent, to the city and borough councils controlling their own areas, i.e., those with a population exceeding 6000. This portion will be divided among the councils in the proportions of their respective populations. (2) 60 per cent, to the Consolidated Fund, toward the expenses by the Government in the smaller centres and rural areas. These proportions were arrived at on the basis of the total amount of drivers’ licence fees collected by the local bodies during the year ended March 31, 1936.

Indeed, any complaint by a motorowner against any testing authority in respect of warrant of fitness, should be lodged with the department, which will investigate such complaint and, if necessary, take action. Some motorists are chafing because of the time lost in having their vehicles tested, but delay is unavoidable in the circumstances. Whether a vehicle is new or old it must be submitted to the test.

There is nothing haphazard about the way the testing work is being done. A characteristic thoroughness is met with, and assurances of drivers that this or that is all right are not accepted, nor should they be. In many districts mechanics testing the brakes are causing a danger to following traffic by sudden braking, no warning by hand or horn having been given of intention to stop. This manoeuvre is being carried out in main thoroughfares in cities and towns, and, in at least one instance in the North Island, a following driver was unable to avoid a collision with a car being tested.

The danger represented by this practice cannot be over-emphasised, and the authorities should give official warning to garages carrying out testing work.

The total amount thus collected during that year was approximately £66,000, and it is anticipated that the figure for the current financial year will be approximately £70,000. It is further provided that after the same date the Minister may gazette any area as a traffic enforcement district, and may appoint any city or borough council to be the sole traffic enforcement authority for that district. For instance, the Auckland City Corporation might be appointed as the authority for the city area and for several adjacent boroughs. The council thus appointed would share in the 40 per cent, of the drivers’ licence fees as though the population were that of the whole district, and it would have sole responsibility for traffic law enforcement within the district, except for the activities of the police and the Government traffic officers. k Traffic Fines. At present the proceeds from the fines resulting from prosecutions by the police and by the Government traffic officers are paid into the main highways account. It is proposed as from May 31, 1938, to pay these into the Consolidated Fund toward the” expense of Government traffic control. The proceeds from the fines resulting from prosecutions conducted by the city and larger borough traffic officers will continue to be paid into the accounts of the respective local bodies after deduction of 5 per cent, as at present. The Main Highways Board’s traffic inspectors were recently taken over by the Transport Department, the total number of whose traffic officers will be increased sufficiently to control adequately the smaller centres and the rural areas.

STORAGE BATTERY INDUSTRY New Association Meets A meeting of the newly-formed association of those engaged in the sale and manufacture of electric storage batteries was held in Wellington yesterday, Mr. T. H. Duncan presiding. The object of the association is coordination of opinion on' matters affecting the industry in New Zealand and to provide a medium through which co-operative action can be taken on matters relating to the conduct of the battery business. A standing committee of seven was appointed. Various problems affecting the industry were referred to this committee for consideration. It is the intention of the association to co-operate with associations now guiding kindred industries to avoid overlapping of interests and to secure improvement in working conditions. Mr. H. H. Miller, Wellington, was appointed secretary.