SAFETY OF THE ROAD.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3383, 18 July 1927, Page 8

SAFETY OF THE ROAD.

The “Daily Express” summarises the draft proposals of the British Road Traffic Bill as follows: —

“Definite speed limits are laid down for heavy motor vehicles, ranging from two miles an hour for a heavy locomotive in a city, town, or village, to twenty miles an hour for a heavy motor car or • tractor fitted with pneumatic tyres. “Should a speed limit he fixed there will be three classes of indictable offences; “Exceeding the speed limit. “Careless driving.

“Dangerous driving. “A difference is recognised between careless and dangerous driving, and for dangerous driving the penalties will be substantially increased. “Persons drunk in charge of a. motor vehicle are to be liable to fines up to £SO, or to imprisonment up to four months, or to both, and to bo disqualified from holding a driver’s license for at least twelve months. “The minimum age for drivers of motor cars is left at 17, but for motor cycles it is raised from 14 to 15. “A declaration of fitness will have to bo made by applicants for drivers’ licenses. Certain diseases and disabilities will be listed. Anyone subject to any of these —blindness, epilepsy, fainting fits, for example ( the list has not yet been made out) —will be debarred from holding a license. Disabled persons will not be prevented from driving suitably-adapted vehicles. “An applicant for a driving license who is disqualified on any ground, except those absolutely prohibitive, can apply for a test. If he passes the test he can obtain a license. He can also obtain a provisional license to enable him to learn to drive and then present himself for a test.

“Licenses can bo revoked if the licensing authority learns that the driver has developed some proscribed disability. In such a case a test can bo demanded, and there is the right of appeal to a police court.

“Important provisions apply to public service vehicles. The number of licensing authorities will bo reduced from 1300 to about 300.

“Certificates of fitness for public service vehicle drivers will have to be obtained. They will cost two guineas, and will be re newablo every year. “Insurance policies will be required for public service vehicles, except where the owner or driver can satisfy the authority that he is able to meet all claims.

“Cycles will have to carry cither a. red rear lamp or a red reflector.”