SAFETY ON ROADS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 67, 20 March 1937, Page 10

SAFETY ON ROADS

COMPULSORY STOP

INVESTIGATION URGED

Motorists in Otago believe that the) English system of requiring drivers! to stop before entering main highways should be adopted in New Zealand, and on Thursday night the South Island Motor Union was persuaded to request the Department of Transport to investigate the advisability of introducing the system to the Dominion as still another method of reducing motor accidents (states "The Press"). Argument that the English system was not in conflict with the right-hand rule was advanced by Mr. E. J. Anderson (Otago), who claimed that the right-hand rule was not efficacious in country districts. The South Island had one main highway from PLY.on to Bluff and throughout the length of the highway the compulsory stop before entering from minor roads should be enforced. "All traffic coming in from side roads," he said, "should be required to ■ stop—and when it stops it should look and listen. The union made a mistake, when this was. in front of it before, in not pushing it. It has been said that there would be inordinate expense; but the sign-posting could be done quite cheaply." The decision of the North Island Motor Union to place "courtesy signs" was reported by Mr. G. Lawrence. "We have considered it. We are conscious of the right-hand rule and its benefits, and we are also conscious of th recklessness of approach to main roads.' 'Mr. Lawrence said. "In the North Island we propose to bring in courtesy signs, 'Major Roau Ahead" lo indicate the proximity of State highways. These are purely courtesy signs and do not in any way interfere with the right-hand rule." "I am surprised that the North Island is not giving this more support," said Mr. J. R. Haigh (Southland). "The courtesy signs are not enough." "It has taken years to get the righthand rule universally recognised," said Mr. E. Palliser (North Island Motor Union), "and you can introduce no other rule until you abolish that. Most motorists do observe courtesy signs," he said, contradicting a suggestion that the signs would be ignored if not backed by law. "If we are going to make a change we are going to do away with something it has taken years to instil into the minds of the people." Mr. Anderson said that the North Island Motor Union wanted exactly the same thing as South Island motorists sought, but was not willing to have it backed by law. Rather than conflicting with the right-hand rule, it would add strength to it. The remit was carried in its redrafted form, urging the Department of Transport to investigate the introducti.n of the major road compulsory stop on main arterial roads outside built-up areas, leaving the. right-hand rule untouched within built-up areas.