MOTOR TRANSPORT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 51, 1 March 1930, Page 10

MOTOR TRANSPORT

PRESENT REGULATIONS

FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND

SOME MODIFICATIONS

The conference called by the Minister of Transport to review the motor traffic regulations has concluded its sittings', and the way is now open for effecting the necessary changes. The conference was attended by representatives of the municipalities and counties of New Zealand, the Auckland Transport Board, the North and South Island Motor Unions, motor-omnibus, service car, motor-lorry, and motor trade interests, the Main Highways Board, the Police and Transport Departments. Tho representatives "in each case were men with practical knowledge of the effect and working of the regulations. The subjects dealt with were tbe motorveh'icle regulations dealing generally with motor-traffic, the regulations relatinr, to motor drivers' licences, and the number plate system, and the heavy traffic regulations relating to special speed limits and traffic rules for the heavier motor traffic. VOLUME OF WORK. The conference considered tho effect of 348 clauses in the regulations, and 23" suggestions for their amendment. "Taken on tho' whole," the Minister (tho Hon. W. A. Veiteh) remarked today, "it is evident from the conference that the regulations are fundamentally sound, and as reasonable in their restrictions as is possible in the circumstances. During tho progress of the conference, it became, increasingly evident how valuable it is for tho Government to obtain the views of the officers having practical administration of the law, those chiefly affected by it, and also thn various other interests closely concerned. It is noteworthy that at all times the proceedings were most harmonious, and the whole aim of the various interests appeared to bo the good of the community as a whole." SPEED LIMITS. "Speed limits occupied a good deal of attention by the conference, and tho view was generally expressed that with minor modifications the present law is working satisfactorily, and -the policy of the Government to restrict local speed limits unless the nature of the road surface or particular conditions justify them is a correct one. The speed limits fixed for heavy traffic caused more difficulty, and while it was recognised that tho roads must bo protected, it. was considered generally that the present limits are too low for good roads, and pneumatic tired vehicles, as is shown by the fact that they aro honoured under these conditions more by tho breach than in the observance. "The problems caused by night driving received very full discussion, and it was agreed that there is room for much improvement in the present conditions. Since the regulations were issued special inventions, such as the double-filament lamp and tho dipping headlight, have become popular, and it is possible that as a result the present regulations are likely to be modified so far as the measures preventing tho dazzle of headlights are concerned. "So far as drivers' licences are concorned, the various faults of the present system, particularly the lack of uniformity in the standard of test imposed,, were thoroughly considered, and it is hoped that as a result improvements will take place. Tbe numberplato system is, of course, now an integral part of the third-party insurance scheme, and therefore must be retained; but modifications with a view to readier recognition of the, numbers may be expected to follow from the conference. "COMPLETE SUCCESS." "The complete success of the conference, " said the Minister, "is an encouragement to the Government to continue its policy of consulting all interests closely connected when any material change in tho law is being contemplated. The way is now open for making an effective revision of the motor transport regulations, and when the final draft is completed it will be 'referred to all the interests concerned before being brought into operation. Tho principle followed in this revision," concluded Mr. Veitch, "is that which I indicated to the conference at tho opening, namely, that of the maximum amount of liberty consistent with the safe operation of motor transport and preservation of the roads."