"ROAD HOGS"

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 138, 7 December 1918, Page 4

"ROAD HOGS"

MINISTERIAL COMMENTS LAX ADMINISTRATION. Furious and reckless driving of motor* cars and motor-cycles continues to threaten the lives and limbs of people in Wellington and other parts of New Zealand. On this subject, the Minister of Internal Affairs makes the following roinarks in his annual report :— I "Some little confusion still exists respecting the function of the Minister j under section 4 of the Act. Registering j .authorities frequently forward proposed motor by-laws for some indication as to what the Minister is likely to take exception. ' Others, again, forward by-laws when made, asking that they may be approved. The Minister has no approving function, his power being one of disallowance at any time after the receipt of the by-laws in this office. A bylaw may be reasonable enough when made, but in the course of time it may become unreasonable. Thus the Minister cannot be expected to signify to a j registering authority whether . a new j motor by-law, in which there is nothing j for the time being to which objection j need be taken, will or will not be disallowed at some time in the future. "Two questions for which legislation is being urged are motor speed-limits, and the licensing of drivers of motorcars. Local bodies generally desire "power to fix definite limits, but the experience of other countries is in favour of the existing law, whereby (section 9 (1) of the. Motor Regulation Act, 1908) every person commits an offence who drives a motor on a public highwhy recklessly or negligently, or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, condition, and use of the nighway, and the amount of traffic which actually is at the time, or which might reasonably be expected to be, on the highway. The true remedy for the furious and Teckless driving so prevalent to-day, is a stricter administration of the law as it stands. "The second question, however—the licensing of drivers, and the issuing of proficiency certificates—is one that should be made the subject of legislation as soon as possible. This you nave approved, bat a suitable opportunity to bring down a. new Motor Bill has not offered. The necessity for obtaining a certificate of competency will undoubtedly lead to a higher standard of driving, and the probability of their licensee being cancelled on conviction for an offence against the Act will restrain many reckless drivers. "The Department is indebted to the New Zealand Automobile Union for valuable suggestions regarding this and other matters."