MOTOR TRAFFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 8

MOTOR TRAFFIC

PARKING PROBLEM

NEW REGULATIONS

ASSOCIATION'S CLOSE WATCH

A close watch is being kept by the Automobile Association, Wellington, on all questions of motor traffic. It was reported by the eh.airman at the roads committee of the Automobile Association (Mr. E. Palliser) last night that he and the club's secretary had discussed the matter of parking in Wellington with the City Engineer (Mr. K. E. LUke) and the chief traffic inspector. The general regulations being made were also discussed. Mr. Luke was about to visit Australia, and while he was there parking and traffic control would no doubt be amongst the subjects investigated. The committee appreciated the opportunity of the discussion, and was made aware that the City Engineer had the important aspects of the traffic and parking questions in view. Mr. Luke had offered to discuss these matters further with the association's representatives on his return, an offer which was appreciated. The committee recommended that signs be erected on the Hutt Road drawing the attention of motorists to the necessity of having headlights operating efficiently. During the last few weeks, members of the committee had been concerned with the condition of headlights from the viewpoint of glare as well as with cars operated with only one headlight.

"Some of them should keep their taillights clean," remarloed the acting chairman <Mr. H. W. Shortt). "Some of them are of small diameter, and when covered with mud they cannot be seen." It was explained tjy Mr. Palliser that "courtesy" signs wece erected in many other places, drawing attention to similar matters. From time to time such signs could be changed to give motorists reminders of ?other matters they might overlook. NAILS AND GLASS. Further concern was expressed by the committee at the careless loading of trucks. "The chief patrol on a recent morning between Moxham Avenue and Brougham Street picked up no fewer than seven pieces of wood which had fallen off a truck, and nails were projecting from each piece found on the road," stated the report. "Three of the pieces were picked up in the tunnel, and, unfortunately, on account of the flow of traffic, the chief patrol was unable to pick up all the pieces that he saw."

Anothe. point referred to was the practice of lorry drivers turning at intersections and in the process of turning backing into a lane of traffic. This was a prolific source of danger and accidents, and some form of control to prevent such a practice was necessary. The committee commented also on the fact that a number of complaints had been received regarding the operation of vehicles belonging to a certain carrying firm in the city, and as a result the committee was taking the matter up with the firm concerned.

The common practice of leaving broken glass on the road after accidents was, it was pointed out, an offence under the regulations. Owners of vehicles, as well as their agents acting for them, after accidents must clear the roadway of any foreign material. A number of prosecutions had been taken for this offence lately, and the committee' looked forward, to a further general tightening up. -:'■

Early action was looked forward to in the matter of the traffic sign regulations, particularly by local authorities in making provision especially for the enforcement of the regulation for pedestrian crossings. The committee's recommendations were approved. Discussing the question of traffic control and motor drivers' licences, it was decided to approve of the recentlypublished proposals, provision to be maSe for the use of international driving permits in New Zealand.