RISKS OF DRIVING

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 55, 8 March 1929, Page 10

RISKS OF DRIVING

HOARDINGS ON THE ROAD

The erection of advertising hoardings on private properties adjacent to main highways was referred to in a circular letter received from the • Main Highways Board by the Makara County Council and discussed at to-day's meeting of the council.

It was stated iv the letter that in most cases the hoardings had been erected near sharp bends on the road; and were generally in such a position as to attract the attention of drivers at a time when great care was required to negotiate the bends. In some cases, it. had been noticed that they obscured a clear view of the road. Unfortunately, neither the board nor the local authorities had any control over the erection of hoardings on private properties, 1 and no legal action could be taken. The matter, however, required some attention, and it was suggested that the council should co-operate with the automobile associations in an endeavour to have the hoardings so placed that they^ would not tend to increase the risks of motor-driv-ing. .-■■■.

Members were agreed that the matter was a difficult one for the council to deal with., although it was desirable that some action should be taken where hoardings obscured a clear view of the road.

Councillor R.; G. Mexted said that it was ridiculous ,to think that a driver would devote his attention to an advertisement when he was approaching a sharp bend. The chairman (Councillor E. AVindley) said that it' seemed to him the council ■could do nothing at all in the matter. He moved, and it was decided, that the 1 letter be received.